By PETER JESSUP
Pregnancy and retirements have changed the make-up of the New Zealand women's side, who will play Australia in a one-off test tomorrow.
Only eight of the team who won the world title last year are returning for the match at Carlaw Park.
Prop Luisa Aviaki, the most
experienced member of the team, takes over the captaincy from Nadine Conlon, who has just given birth to a daughter, but promises to return.
Back from the side who beat England 28-10 last November are fullback Tasha Davie, wing Nola Campbell, centre Somma Te Kahu, Trish Hina at five-eighth and second-rower Ina Muaiava.
The New Zealand women have been beaten only once since the first world championship in 1995.
That was a two-point loss in the second test in Australia in 1999.
The Australians requested a match this season because no games had been planned for either side.
The New Zealand Rugby League agreed to the game to maintain the interest of the players and to stop any drift to or poaching from rugby.
Black Ferns coach Mike Rawiri is quietly confident about the outcome of tomorrow's test, even though he admits to knowing little about the make-up of the Australian side. There is a suggestion that New Zealanders now resident in Australia will turn out.
Rawiri has had the women on individual training programmes for the past two months.
The team came together in camp only this week, and are banking on experience to carry them home.
Thirteen of the 18 come from Auckland, and Christchurch's Somma Te Kahu welcomes her sister Tessa into the team as one of the 10 new caps.
Auckland will play Taranaki in the curtainraiser.
Kiwi Ferns: Tasha Davie (Auck), Nola Campbell (Auck), Caroline Marsters (Auck), Somma Te Kahu (Chch), Khadine Pohatu (Auck), Trish Hina (Wgtn), Laura Mariu (Auck), Frances Te Ao (Wgtn), Sharon Chungson (Auck), Luisa Aviaki (captain, Auck), Ina Muaiava (Auck), Rachel White (Auck), Lorina Buckley (Auck), Lovey Tawhi (Auck), Tessa Te Kahu (Chch), Karen Dougall (Wgtn), Maryanne Hemara (Auck), Jonnie Tukiwaho (Auck).
