Rugby: One injury concern for Black Ferns ahead of second test

Aldora Itunu remains an injury worry for the Blacks Ferns ahead of the 2nd test against the Wallaroos at Eden Park on Saturday.

The tighthead prop has been bracketed with Leilani Perese in an otherwise unchanged squad for the Eden Park test.

Itunu suffered a cut to her leg during the first test in Sydney last weekend.

Should Itunu be ruled out, Perese would get her first test start with Auckland's Aleisha Nelson coming into the reserves.

Coach Glenn Moore has placed his faith in a side that contained five players making their Test debuts in Sydney, including newcomers Ruahei Demant who will retain director duties at first-five-eighth, and Southland's Alena Saili who will once again, camp out on the left wing.

He said while the new-look team had stepped up and taken on the big occasion of the first test of 2018, there were areas for improvement.

"We've obviously spent the week reviewing our performance and identifying where we need to fine tune.

"In Sydney we adjusted our gameplan when Australia started shutting down our outside backs. Our forwards really stepped up and helped us get the points.

"It showed we have the ability to be nimble but we've talked about the fact we created opportunities, and didn't always finish them. This weekend is our chance to apply some polish and convert those opportunities into points.

"He said there had been a few nerves going in to the Sydney match but they were now gone with a Test under the belt.

"This week I'm expecting everyone will improve even more and I'm looking forward to seeing what the team can deliver."

Black Ferns squad (tests in brackets)
1.Phillipa Love (3)
2.Fiao'o Faamausili (53, Captain)
3.Aldora Itunu (16) / Leilani Perese (1)
4.Eloise Blackwell (33)
5.Charmaine Smith (17)
6.Charmaine McMenamin (15)
7.Les Elder (10)
8.Aroha Savage (29)
9.Kendra Cocksedge (43, Vice Captain)
10.Ruahei Demant (1)
11.Alena Saili (1)
12.Theresa Fitzpatrick (8)
13.Stacey Waaka (12)
14.Renee Wickliffe (31)
15.Selica Winiata (32, Vice Captain)

16.Te Kura Ngata-Aerengamate (21)
17.Cristo Tofa (1)
18.Leilani Perese (1) / Aleisha Nelson (26)
19.Jackie Patea-Fereti (13)
20.Linda Itunu (36)
21.Kristina Sue (11)
22.Krysten Cottrell (1)
23.Chelsea Alley (16)
Moore has named an