Black Ferns coach Allan Bunting will bring three debutants off his bench to face Australia in an O'Reilly Cup rematch at Hamilton on Saturday.
Auckland prop Chryss Viliko, Manawatu loose forward Layla Sae and Canterbury winger Martha Mataele will pull on the black jersey for the first time, as the NZ women face their first home fixture since their World Cup triumph at Auckland's Eden Park last year.
Northland lock Charmaine Smith will return to the side for the first time since 2019, adding to her 27 test caps, since debuting in 2015. She was forced to retire with a neck injury, but returned to the field last year, after recovery went better than expected.
Auckland utility Patricia Maliepo turns out at fullback, after concussion ruled her out of the national team for their World Cup campaign.
"It is very exciting for our two returners - Charmaine and Patricia - to pull on the black jersey again," said Bunting. "This is a true reflection of their commitment and mahi.
"For our debutants, they have been impressive and this is an opportunity to take that next step. We are excited to see them enjoy the moment here at home in front of whānau."
The Black Ferns are unbeaten under the first-year direction of Bunting, who began his tenure with a 50-0 victory over the Wallaroos at Brisbane in June, before subsequent wins over United States and Canada, as part of the Pacific Four series.
"We know that the Wallaroos will have progressed since we faced them in Brisbane," said Bunting. "We are aware of the challenge they provide, and our wāhine have been working hard to be well prepared and ready for this weekend.
"It has been a very tough selection, it's great to be giving our new Black Ferns an opportunity that they have worked very hard for and reflects the growth in our team. We are looking forward to this weekend here in Hamilton, we will see where we are at this stage of our journey."
The match will provide an important stepping stone towards the inaugural WXV 1 series against France, Wales and England next month.
Black Ferns: 1-Krystal Murray, 2-Georgia Ponsonby, 3-Amy Rule, 4-Maiakawanakaulani Roos, 5-Charmaine Smith, 6-Alana Bremner, 7-Kennedy Simon (cc), 8-Liana Mikaele Tu'u, 9-Arihiana Marino-Tauhinu, 10-Ruahei Demant (cc), 11-Katelyn Vahaakolo, 12-Sylvia Brunt, 13-Amy du Plessis, 14-Mererangi Paul, 15. Patricia Maliepo
Reserves: 16-Luka Connor, 17-Chryss Viliko, 18-Tanya Kalounivale, 19-Lucy Jenkins, 20-Layla Sae, 21-Iritana Hohaia, 22-Rosie Kelly, 23-Martha Mataele
Join Newshub at 4:30pm Saturday for live updates of the Black Ferns v Australia test
