Black Ferns highlight Canterbury team to host Bay of Plenty

Canterbury can call on all 10 of it’s contracted Black Ferns this weekend, as a strong side is named to host Bay of Plenty.  

In the forwards, an all-Black Ferns front row of Pip Love, Georgia Ponsonby and Amy Rule will lead the charge, with locks Emma Dermody and Chelsea Bremner rounding out the tight five.  

Vice-captain Marcelle Parkes is joined in the loose forwards by returning Captain Alana Bremner and Lucy Jenkins, providing Forwards Coach Sid Tauamiti plenty to plan with ahead of an exciting JJ Stewart Trophy defence.  

In the backs, Rosie Kelly, Grace Steinmetz and Amy Du Plessis all feature, with Grace Brooker shifting into second five to accommodate her Matatū centre partner.  

They’ll be joined by form trio Di Hiini, Martha Mataele and Karla Wright-Akeli, who have all put in notable performances at the start of the Farah Palmer Cup, presented by Bunnings Warehouse competition.  

“It’s great to be able to welcome back our Black Ferns into the environment and give them the opportunity to express themselves in the red & black jersey.” said Head Coach Jimmy Sinclair.  

“We’ve learnt a lot from these first two weeks, and the platform those two performances has given us means we can continue to build as the competition moves forward.” 

Providing impact off the bench will be eight players who have stood up in the Black Ferns’ absence, showcasing the incredible depth Canterbury has to call upon.  

“The eight ladies on the bench this weekend play as important a role as when they are starting.” said Sinclair, “We know that they’ll be raring to go and will give us a real edge when they are called upon.” 

The Round 3 clash with Bay of Plenty is set to kick off at 12:05pm on Saturday at Rugby Park, with entry just $5 for adults and free for U16’s.