Sevens stars named in Black Ferns as Simon and McMenamin return

Black Ferns loose forwards Kennedy Simon and Charmaine McMenamin will play their first test of the year after being named to start against Australia in Christchurch on Saturday night.

Charmaine McMenamin.
Photo: © Copyright Andrew Cornaga / www.photosport.nz Photosport Ltd 2019

The pair are both returning from injury.

Simon will wear the captain’s armband alongside first-five Ruahei Demant who led the team during the Pacific Four Series, which the Black Ferns won.

The team now plays two tests against Australia for the Laurie O’Reilly Cup, with the first match in Ōtautahi this weekend.

The Waikato loose forward was named Black Ferns Player of the Year in 2021 but missed June’s series with a knee injury.

Kennedy Simon.
Photo: Brett Phibbs

McMenamin, the Black Ferns Player of the Year in 2019, has recovered from spinal surgery to reclaim her place.

Black Ferns Sevens exponent Theresa Fitzpatrick, who was part of the 2017 World Cup winning Black Ferns, plays her first Test since 2019 and will combine with Amy du Plessis in the midfield.

Her New Zealand sevens teammate, Tyla Nathan-Wong, is one of two debutants named on the bench.

Tyla Nathan-Wong.
Photo: Andrew Cornaga / www.photosport.nz

Prop Awhina Tangen-Wainohu is also in line to make her debut from the reserves.

Black Ferns Head Coach Wayne Smith said there is real significance in defending the O’Reilly Cup in the city where Laurie O’Reilly had such an influence on the game of rugby.

“My want to get involved with the Black Ferns started as a tribute to Laurie who was a great mate and mentor of mine; he inspired me to be a coach and I feel really fortunate to have had such a great relationship with him.

“Every Test match is special, but the significance of playing for this trophy in Christchurch this weekend is not lost on our team,” said Smith.

After claiming the Pacific Four Series on home soil in June, the Black Ferns are eyeing the defence of the O’Reilly Cup as they build towards Rugby World Cup.

The team is:

Pip Love (17)

Georgia Ponsonby (5)

Tanya Kalounivale (2)

Joanah Ngan Woo (8)

Chelsea Bremner (3)

Alana Bremner (6)

Kennedy Simon (8) – co-captain

Charmaine McMenamin (25)

Kendra Cocksedge (60)

Ruahei Demant (18) – co-captain

Ayesha Leti-I’iga (15)

Theresa Fitzpatrick (11)

Amy du Plessis (2)

Ruby Tui (2)

Renee Holmes (3)

Luka Connor (6)

Awhina Tangen-Wainohu – debut

Amy Rule (5)

Tafito Lafaele (2)

Kendra Reynolds (3)

Tyla Nathan-Wong – debut

Logo-I-Pulotu Lemapu Atai’I (Sylvia) Brunt (2)

Hazel Tubic (14)

Not available for selection due to injury: Kaipo Olsen-Baker, Victoria Subritzky-Nafatali.

Waikato halfback Ariana Bayler has been released to play Farah Palmer Cup for Waikato this weekend and will rejoin the squad for Test week in Adelaide.