Five new caps have been included in the New Zealand women's rugby team for their two-test series against Australia in Canberra later this month.
Olivia Coady, Halie Hurring and Stephanie Te Ohaere-Fox received some consolation after Canterbury's 13-12 NPC final loss to Auckland at Eden Park today.
Prop
Doris Taufateau, who scored Auckland's solitary try, is also included while Selica Winiata from Manawatu is the newcomer from outside the provincial powerhouses in the 24-strong squad.
The team will be captained by Canterbury's Melissa Ruscoe while the evergreen Auckland first five-eighth Anna Richards, 43, continues her stellar career.
The world champions Black Ferns have not played in Australia since 2001. The tests are on October 14 and 18.
Black Ferns squad:
Olivia Coady (Canterbury), Kendra Cocksedge (Canterbury), Monalisa Codling (Auckland), Fiao'o Fa'amausili (Auckland), Victoria Grant (Auckland), Victoria Heighway (Auckland), Carla Hohepa (Otago), Rebecca Hull (Manawatu), Halie Hurring (Canterbury), Linda Itunu (Auckland), Emma Jensen (Auckland), Ruth McKay (Manawatu), Beth Mallard (Otago), Huriana Manuel (Auckland), Hannah Porter (Auckland), Anna Richards (Auckland), Melissa Ruscoe (Canterbury, captain), Kim Smith (Canterbury), Aimee Sutorius (Wellington), Doris Taufateau (Auckland), Stephanie Te Ohaere-Fox (Canterbury), Teresa Te Tamaki (Auckland), Shannon Willoughby (Hawke's Bay), Selica Winiata (Manawatu)
- NZPA
