Holmes at fullback as Black Ferns largely unchanged for World Cup semi-final

Black Ferns coach Wayne Smith has made just one change to the starting XV that beat Wales in the quarter-finals for Saturday’s Rugby World Cup semi-final against France at Eden Park.

Renee Holmes is back at fullback for the semi-finals.
Photo: Aaron Gillions / www.photosport.nz

The same matchday 23 has been retained from last week, with the only change coming in the backline.

Renee Holmes has been promoted to starting fullback, with last week’s No.15 Ruby Tui moving to the wing and last week’s starting winger Ayesha Leti-I’iga dropping to the bench.

Portia Woodman remains on the other wing.

Woodman, Tui and Holmes combined as the back three in the opening match at Eden Park just under a month ago.

“Renee is a specialist 15 and has been playing well there for us, we also see Ayesha as an incredible impact player so we know she will come on and make a difference in the game,” said Smith.

The Black Ferns have played France on nine occasions, winning the first five Tests before dropping the past four.

The teams have meet in the 2002, 2006 and 2010 World Cups.

12 Black Ferns named in this weekend’s semi-final were part of the team that last played France, a year ago, this will be the first time the team’s have faced each other in New Zealand.

The match continues the rich history of New Zealand and French matches at Eden Park, their men’s equivalents going head-to-head in two previous Rugby World Cup Finals at the ground in 1987 and 2011.

“It’s going to take our best game of the season to win. We’ve had a lot of catching up to do this year so to win on Saturday, our players will have to manage the pressure and play the game with courage. It’s a real privilege to be playing in a World Cup, at Eden Park, so we need to be excited about that, not overwhelmed,” said Smith.

Returning to Auckland for the Rugby World Cup semi-finals, the Black Ferns team to face France this Saturday is (No. of tests in brackets);

Phillipa Love (23)

Georgia Ponsonby (11)

Amy Rule (10)

Maiakawanakaukani Roos (12)

Chelsea Bremner (10)

Alana Bremner (11)

Sarah Hirini (15)

Liana Mikaele-Tu’u (10)

Kendra Cocksedge (66)

Ruahei Demant (24) – co-captain

Portia Woodman (23)

Theresa Fitzpatrick (16)

Stacey Fluhler (23)

Ruby Tui (8)

Renee Holmes (8)

Luka Connor (12)

Krystal Murray (7)

Santo Taumata (5)

Joanah Ngan-Woo (15)

Kennedy Simon (11) – co-captain

Ariana Bayler (7)

Hazel Tubic (21)

Ayesha Leti-I’iga (19)