Black Ferns v Scotland
When: Saturday, October 22, 4:45pm kickoff
Where: Northland Events Centre, Whangārei
Referee: Aurelie Groizeleau (France)
Assistant referees: Clara Munarini (Italy), Kat Roche (USA)
TV match official: Chris Assmus (Canada)
TAB Odds: NZ $1, draw $51, Scotland $18
Preview
The NZ women have already clinched a spot in the quarter-finals and can't be headed in their pool, after two opening bonus-point victories over Australia and Wales.
Coach Wayne Smith has taken the opportunity to ring the changes, naming hometown hero Arihiana Marino-Tauhinu as skipper for this occasion, with co-captain Ruahei Demant consigned to the bench.
Perhaps the biggest talking point is the make-up of the back three, where sevens stars Portia Woodman and Ruby Tui have starred so far, but have been given this fixture off. Instead, Smith will unleash powerful wing Ayesha Leti-I'iga, probably the standout player from New Zealand's tournament build-up, but limited by injury so far.
The forward pack sees five changes from the unit mauled by the Welsh, with Roos, hooker Georgia Ponsonby and flanker Alana Bremner the only players retaining their starting spots. They will want an improved showing, with bigger challenges looming in knockout stages.
Effectively, Australia and Wales will play off in the early game for the second guaranteed spot in the quarter-finals, but a draw and Scottish victory would throw a cat among the pigeons. None of them can catch New Zealand to top the pool.
World Cup results
New Zealand beat Australia 41-17, beat Wales 56-12
The Black Ferns fell 17-0 behind early in their tournament opener against the Wallaroos, before charging back with 41 unanswered points. While their result over Wales was more convincing, the Welsh pack embarrassed their counterparts, who were forced into repeated infringing and were reduced to 13 players over the closing stages.
Scotland lost to Wales 18-15, lost to Australia 14-12
Double heartbreak for the Scots so far, with a last-minute penalty depriving them against the Welsh in their opening match and a late converted try getting the Aussies home. They'll be hurting.
History
These two rivals have not met in 16 years...
2006 - NZ 21 Scotland 0
2005 - NZ 30 Scotland 9
1998 - NZ 76 Scotland 0
Weather: Cloudy periods and morning showers, becoming fine for kickoff, with easterly winds and high temperature of 18 degrees.
Teams
New Zealand: 1-Phillipa Love, 2-Georgia Ponsonby, 3-Amy Rule, 4-Joanah Ngan-Woo, 5-Maiakawanakualani Roos, 6-Alana Bremner, 7-Sarah Hirini, 8-Liana Mikaele-Tu'u, 9-Arihiana Marino-Tauhinu (c), 10-Hazel Tubic, 11-Ayesha Leti-I'iga, 12-Theresa Fitzpatrick, 13-Amy du Plessis, 14-Renee Wickliffe, 15-Renee Holmes.
Reserves: 16-Natalie Delamare, 17-Krystal Murray, 18-Tanya Kalounivale, 19-Chelsea Bremner, 20-Kendra Reynolds, 21-Kendra Cocksedge, 22-Sylvia Brunt, 23-Ruahei Demant
Scotland: 1-Molly Wright, 2-Lana Skeldon, 3-Christine Belisle, 4-Emma Wassell, 5-Sarah Bonar, 6-Rachel Malcolm, 7-Rachel McLachlan, 8-Jade Konkel-Roberts, 9-Caity Mattinson, 10-Helen Nelson, 11-Hannah Smith, 12-Lisa Thomson, 13-Emma Orr, 14-Rhona Lloyd, 15-Shona Campbell
Reserves: 16-Jodie Rettie, 17-Leah Bartlett, 18-Katie Dougan, 19-Lyndsay O'Donnell, 20-Louise McMillan, 21-Mairi McDonald, 22-Meryl Smith, 23-Liz Musgrove
Check out the Rugby World Cup live on Spark Sport or free-to-air on Three, or join us for live updates of the Black Ferns v Scotland pool encounter
