Former beach volleyball star Kelsie Wills will officially become New Zealand's latest double international, when she makes her Black Ferns test debut against England on Monday morning (NZ time).
Three years after she and Shaunna Polley became the first Kiwi women to contest the roundball sport at the Gold Coast Commonwealth Games, Wills joins eight other debutants in the national rugby line-up for their 100th test - a rematch of the 2017 World Cup finalists.
With COVID-19 making international play impossible last year, Wills pulled on the black jersey for the first time in non-test fixtures against NZ Barbarians, but will complete her journey at Exeter, partnering 43-test veteran Eloise Blackwell at lock.
"I'm a bit of a weird one," admits Willis, 28. "I'm old, but I'm young in terms of my gametime.
"My history has definitely helped me with tour life and being overseas in new environments. Being in the lineouts and having to lead those has forced me to become more of a leader.
"I'm drawing off other people's confidence, which has helped me a lot."
Wills joins fellow rookies flanker Alana Bremner and No.8 Dhys Faleafaga in the forward pack, with Renee Holmes named in the No.15 jersey.
Grace Houpapa-Barrett, Krystal Murray, Liana Mikaele-Tu'u, Ariana Baylor and Patricia Maliepo will likely make their first test appearances off the bench.
Olympic sevens star Stacey Fluhler has been named on the wing, but one notable omission is veteran speedster Portia Woodman, 30, who also won gold at Tokyo and finished as topscorer at the last World Cup.
"We've had some really good talent coming through back in New Zealand and the players we have brought into our environment have really stepped up," says coach Glenn Moore. "I think those that debut this weekend will all make an impact on the game."
Flanker Les Elder returns from pregnancy to resume her captaincy role, with halfback Kendra Cocksedge will line up for her 46th consecutive test.
"There is already a bit of spark in the group, given it's our first test in almost two-and-a-half years," says Moore. "Add to that the 100th milestone and it makes for a very special occasion.
"There is a great rivalry between these two teams, so I’m sure we can expect another great test this weekend."
Black Ferns: 1-Pip Love, 2-Te Kura Ngata-Aerengamate, 3-Aleisha Pearl Nelson, 4-Eloise Blackwell, 5-Kelsie Wills, 6-Alana Bremner, 7-Les Elder (captain), 8-Dhys Faleafaga, 9-Kendra Cocksedge, 10-Ruahei Demant, 11-Ayesha Leti-I'iga, 12-Chelsea Alley, 13-Stacey Fluhler, 14-Renee Wickliffe, 15-Renee Holmes
Reserves: 16-Grace Houpapa-Barrett, 17-Krystal Murray, 18-Aldora Itunu, 19-Liana Mikaele-Tu'u, 20-Kennedy Simon, 21-Ariana Bayler, 22-Patricia Maliepo, 23-Grace Brooker
Join us at 3am Monday for live updates of the Black Ferns v England test
