Black Ferns v Canada: Live updates from the Pacific Four Series test in Christchurch
Follow the action as the Black Ferns take on Canada in their second test of the Pacific Four series.
Portia Woodman-Wickliffe will make her Black Ferns return in Saturday's Pacific Four Championship test against Canada in Christchurch.
The 33-year-old has been named on the right wing in what will be her first Black Ferns match since the Rugby World Cup final in November 2022.
Woodman-Wickliffe had initially retired from international rugby after helping the Black Ferns Sevens defend their Olympic gold in Paris last year, but after helping the Blues to back-to-back in Super Rugby Aupiki, she had a change of heart.
Woodman-Wickliffe's return is one of three changes to the run-on side, with Ayesha Leti'iga shifting to the left wing and Katelyn Vaha'akolo dropping out of the match-day 23.
Amy Rule starts at tighthead prop, while Liana Mikaele Tu'u replaces Kaipo Olsen-Baker at No 8.
Sevens trio Jorja Miller, Risi Pouri-Lane and Stacey Waaka have been kept on ice after joining the squad on Sunday.
Black Ferns director of performance Allan Bunting says he's excited to have Woodman-Wickliffe back in the team.
'I'm really excited for Portia to again represent her country in front of friends and whānau, it will be a special moment for her. It's been awesome seeing the joy in her eyes and everything she does to enhance our environment.
'Her willingness to learn and grow is contagious; we look forward to seeing her play this weekend against Canada.'
The Black Ferns are coming off a comprehensive 38-12 win over the Wallaroos and will be eager to build on that performance with an eye on defending the Rugby World Cup later this year.
But Canada will be a step up from Australia.
Canada are currently ranked second in the world and secured their first-ever win over the Black Ferns last year, with a 22-19 triumph in Christchurch en route to winning the Pacific Four Championship.
'Our coaching team are doing a great job installing our game,' said Bunting. 'It was good to see pieces of this come together last week versus Australia.
'Last Saturday was a great stepping stone towards where we want to be, and we look forward to seeing how we build off that this week against a quality Canadian side. We are excited to play our first Test at home.'
Kickoff is at 3.35pm.
Black Ferns: 1. Chryss Viliko 2. Georgia Ponsonby 3. Amy Rule 4. Alana Bremner 5. Maiakawanakaulani Roos 6. Layla Sae 7. Kennedy Tukuafu (Co-captain) 8. Liana Mikaele-Tu'u 9. Maia Joseph 10. Ruahei Demant (Co-captain) 11. Ayesha Leti-I'iga 12. Logo-I-Pulotu Lemapu-Atai'i Sylvia Brunt 13. Amy du Plessis 14. Portia Woodman-Wickliffe 15. Braxton Sorensen-McGee
Bench: 16. Atlanta Lolohea 17. Kate Henwood 18. Tanya Kalounivale 19. Maama Mo'onia Vaipulu 20. Dhys Faleafaga 21. Iritana Hohaia 22. Hannah King 23. Mererangi Paul
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