7 Matatū Players named to face the French

Seven women who took the field for Matatū in 2023 have been named in the Black Ferns playing 23 to face France on Saturday 21 October. 

The national team will face the French in Wellington in the inaugural WXV1 tournament, kick off at 7pm. The team was selected by Allan Bunting, Steve Jackson, Mike Delaney and Tony Christie – the latter one of Matatū’s assistant coaches who lead the franchise to Super Rugby Aupiki victory in the 2023 season. 

Matatū players in the starting XV are Georgia Ponsonby, Amy Rule, Alana Bremner, Amy Du Plessis and Renee Holmes. Ready to make an impact off the bench are Lucy Jenkins and Martha Mataele. 

The Black Ferns successfully defended the O’Reilly Cup recently, with only two changes from that title-winning side. 

All matches in the WXV1 will be broadcast live on Sky Sport and Prime. 

Black Ferns team is: 

1. Krystal Murray (11) 
2. Georgia Ponsonby (17) 
3. Amy Rule (17) 
4. Maiakawanakaulani Roos (18) 
5. Charmaine Smith (28) 
6. Alana Bremner (16) 
7. Kennedy Simon (17) (Co-Captain) 
8. Liana Mikaele-Tu’u (15) 
9. Arihiana Marino-Tauhinu (16) 
10. Ruahei Demant (30) (Co-Captain) 
11. Katelyn Vahaakolo (3) 
12. Logo-I-Pulotu Lemapu Atai'i (Sylvia) Brunt (10) 
13. Amy du Plessis (11) 
14. Ruby Tui (10) 
15. Renee Holmes (13) 
 
16. Luka Connor (17) 
17. Chryss Viliko (1) 
18. Tanya Kalounivale (9) 
19. Chelsea Bremner (15) 
20. Lucy Jenkins (3) 
21. Ariana Bayler (7) 
22. Patricia Maliepo (4) 
23. Martha Mataele (1)