Kia ora, good morning and welcome to Newshub's live coverage of the Black Ferns v USA Pacific Four clash at Ottawa's TD Place Stadium.
After victories over Australia and Canada, the NZ women have all but wrapped up the competition, with only the winless, bottom-placed Americans left in their path.
The United States have fallen to both the Aussies and the Canucks, and NZ coach Allan Bunting has responded by making sweeping changes to his line-up, bench both captains Ruahei Demant and Kennedy Simon, and installing lock Maia Roos as the team's youngest-ever skipper.
Front-rowers Esther Faiaoga-Tilo and Grace Gago will make their debuts in the starting line-up, while halfback Iritana Hoahaia and first-five Rosie Kelly make their first starts for the national side.
TAB Odds: Black Ferns $1.001, USA $41, Draw $51
Black Ferns: 1-Esther Faiaoga-Tilo, 2-Grace Gago, 3-Amy Rule, 4-Joanah Ngan-Woo, 5-Maiakawanakaulani Roos, 6-Lucy Jenkins, 7-Kendra Reynolds, 8-Liana Mikaele-Tu'u, 9-Iritana Hohaia, 10-Rosie Kelly, 11-Grace Steinmetz, 12-Grace Brooker, 13-Amy du Plessis, 14-Kelsey Teneti, 15-Tenika Willison
Reserves: 16-Georgia Ponsonby, 17-Phillipa Love, 18-Tanya Kalouniavale, 19-Chelsea Bremner, 20-Kennedy Simon, 21-Arihiana Marino-Tauhinu, 22-Ruahei Demant, 23-Renee Holmes
Roos' heartwarming reaction to being named Black Ferns captain
Reece Labuschagne
Maiakawanakaulani Roos is as surprised as anyone, after being named Black Ferns captain for their final Pacific Four match against the USA on Saturday.
Roos, 21, will become the youngest-ever skipper to lead the NZ women, breaking the record previously held by Dame Farah Palmer by three years.
As the team was announced, her shock was evident, quickly turning to delight, as her teammates congratulated her on the historic achievement.
Roos then video-called with mother Maia, her grin saying it all, as she delivered the news she was named captain.
Coach Allan Bunting has praised Roos' leadership throughout their Pacific Four campaign, as the world champions look to wrap up the title with their third straight win.
"Throughout my time in the Black Ferns, Maia has been exceptional - a true professional both on and off the field - and her presence is widely felt," he said. "A key member of our leadership group now, her daily habits and actions transition into consistent performance.
"She is a good human and is always looking out to help others. We have great confidence in her captaining the Black Ferns on Friday."
