Black Ferns beat Black Ferns XV in Whangārei trial match

Black Ferns 45

Black Ferns XV 12

Now only a matter of weeks out from the World Cup squad being announced, Black Ferns selectors will have a fair idea of what that group will look like.

But if there was ever a time for a hopeful to ask the question, it was in Saturday’s trial match in Whangārei.

With 58 players lining up between the Black Ferns and Black Ferns XV, it was an opportunity for Black Ferns director of performance Allan Bunting to get a good look at all available options.

While the scoreline read 45-12 to the Black Ferns, the exercise will come down to more than the result.

As expected, the Black Ferns heavily rotated their 30-strong squad in the trial, with the run being the Black Ferns’ penultimate fixture before the World Cup, with a test against Australia next weekend.

As is the risk with trial matches, the group didn’t come away without injury concerns. Loosehead prop Kate Henwood had to be helped off the field midway through the second half with a suspected ankle injury. Henwood has been a regular for the Black Ferns this year, coming off the bench in their test against Canada in mid-May before starting against the United States the following week.

Recalled into the Black Ferns squad for their July outings, Kelly Brazier showed the strength of her kicking game starting at first five-eighths, while fullback Renee Holmes also had some good contributions when she came into the game after halftime.

There will be plenty of tough decisions for Bunting and the selectors in the coming weeks, particularly in the back line.

Braxton Sorensen-McGee continued her impressive rookie season in the black jersey, while Holmes, Portia Woodman-Wickliffe, Ayesha Leti-I’iga, Katelyn Vahaakolo, Ruby Tui and Mererangi Paul join the young fullback among the other names in the battle for spots in the outside backs.

Running out for the Black Ferns XV, Tui certainly made her presence known with two tries and plenty of other involvements, but faces a task in trying to displace the current outside backs in the squad.

Bunting noted as much earlier in the week.

“You can’t fault Ruby and her energy. She’s done everything... the ones that are in at the moment are pretty tough to move out. She’s given a lot to this team,” Bunting said.

Ruby Tui scored both tries for the Black Ferns XV against the Black Ferns. Photo / Getty Images

“She was [positive and optimistic] when she missed out last time and coming into this camp. Off-field and on-field she gives her everything and she’ll be giving her everything for the Black Ferns XV.”

Midfielder Sylvia Brunt was among the standout performers in the trial, scoring the second try of the game after charging down an attempted clearing kick, before creating opportunities with her vision and strong ball carrying.

There were again some shaky moments at the lineout, which has been an issue all season for the side and one Bunting said was a key aspect of their game they wanted to work on before the tournament in England.

For the Black Ferns XV, the trial was their first run before heading overseas for fixtures against South Africa on July 26 and August 2.

Black Ferns 45 (Braxton Sorensen-McGee 2, Sylvia Brunt, Portia Woodman-Wickliffe, Katelyn Vahaakolo, Amy Du Plessis, Jorja Miller tries; Kelly Brazier 3 cons, Renee Holmes 2 cons)

Black Ferns XV 12 (Ruby Tui 2; Keira Su’a-Smith con)