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Black Ferns Head Coach Glenn Moore has named a squad of 28, to take on the Australian Wallaroos in the two-Test series, as preparation for Women’s Rugby World Cup 2017 starts to ramp up.

Moore said he and his coaching team were confident they had selected a skilled squad which was strong across the board. 

“We have a great forward pack and very talented backs. We don’t know much about the Wallaroos but the Laurie O'Reilly Cup is on the line and like all Australian teams they will be determined to perform strongly against New Zealand." 

The first match against the Australian side is a double header with the All Blacks Bledisloe match at Eden Park on Saturday 22 October. The Black Ferns will play the Australian Wallaroos again at QBE Stadium on the North Shore on Wednesday 26 October. 

Olympic Games silver medallists Kelly Brazier, Sarah Goss and Portia Woodman were included in the squad along with Black Ferns Sevens players Honey Hireme, Hazel Tubic, Janna Vaughan, Selica Winiata and Carla Hohepa (returning from injury). 

The Black Ferns Sevens players were eligible for selection after playing in the Farah Palmer Cup.

“To be selected you’ve got to be the best player in those positions. That won’t change. The standard of the Farah Palmer Cup has been outstanding so we've been spoilt for choice.”

Moore said the focus leading into 2017 was on building the depth of the squad.

“Come next year we want to make sure players are putting a lot of pressure on each other for positions. We’ve selected a squad that has a lot of experience in it but there's also a young look to the side and some players have a low number of caps. 

The squad also includes debutants Aotearoa Matua, a 19-year-old prop from Counties Manukau; Kristina Sue, a Manawatu halfback; and Sharnita Woodman, a loose forward from Counties Manukau.

“Everything’s being done with a look to the World Cup next year and it’s a huge motivator for the team. We're really looking forward to playing in front of our friends and family at home before we head offshore.”

Backs
Chelsea Alley (Midfield back) North Harbour
Kelly Brazier (First five eighth) Otago
Kendra Cocksedge (Halfback) Canterbury
Honey Hireme (Outside back) Waikato
Carla Hohepa (Outside back) Waikato
Victoria Subritzky-Nafatali (First five eighth) Counties Manukau
Kristina Sue (Halfback) Manawatu
Hazel Tubic (Fullback) Counties Manukau
Janna Vaughan (Outside back) Manawatu
Renee Wickliffe (Midfield back) Counties Manukau
Selica Winiata (Outside back) Manawatu
Portia Woodman (Outside back) Counties Manukau

Forwards
Eloise Blackwell (Lock) Auckland
Rawinia Everitt (Loose forward) Counties Manukau
Fiao'o Fa'amausili (Hooker) Auckland
Sarah Goss (Loose Forward) Bay of Plenty
Charlene Gubb (Lock) Auckland
Aldora Itunu (Prop) Auckland
Pip Love (Prop) Canterbury
Aotearoa Matau (Prop) Counties Manukau
Charmaine McMenamin (Loose forward) Auckland
Toka Natua (Prop) Waikato
Aleisha Nelson (Prop) Auckland
Te Kura Ngata-Aerengamate (Hooker) Counties Manukau
Aroha Savage (Loose forward) Counties Manukau
Angie Sisifa (Loose forward) Otago
Charmaine Smith (Lock) North Harbour
Sharnita Woodman (Loose forward) Counties Manukau

Justine Lavea, Linda Itunu, Lesley Ketu and Stacey Waaka were unavailable for selection due to injury.

New Zealand Black Ferns 2016 Match Schedule

Home Series
Saturday, 22 October, 5.05pm 
Black Ferns v Australian Wallaroos, Eden Park, Auckland

Wednesday, 26 October, 2.30pm 
Black Ferns v Australian Wallaroos, QBE Stadium, North Shore

End of Year Tour
Saturday, 19 November (time TBC) 
Black Ferns v England, The Stoop Twickenham, London

Wednesday, 23 November, (time TBC)
Black Ferns v Canada, Doonybrook Stadium, Dublin

Sunday, 27 November, (time TBC) 
Black Ferns v Ireland, The Bowl, UND, Dublin