Click here for match wrap
Kia ora, good evening and welcome to Newshub's live coverage of the WXV 1 match between the Black Ferns and France at Wellington's Sky Stadium.
Last time these two teams met, a missed penalty in the final seconds allowed the NZ women to slip through to last year's World Cup final, where they eventually prevailed, leaving the French distraught at one that got away.
Since then, they have finished runners-up to England in the Six Nations, while the Ferns have swept through the Pacific Four and O'Reilly Cup series to earn their spot in this inaugural international competition.
Both teams are markedly changed over the ensuing 12 months, as they build towards the next World Cup tournament.
This fixture will see the return of sevens star Ruby Tui to the black jersey, after taking several months away from the game to recharge and pursue off-field interests.
Join us at 7pm for kickoff.
TAB Odds: NZ $1.22, France $4, Draw $21
World Cup hero Tui returns to Black Ferns for WXV opener against old rivals France
World Cup star Ruby Tui will return to the Black Ferns for their inaugural WXV 1 showdown against old rivals France on Saturday.
Last seen, the Olympic sevens star had the soldout Eden Park crowd eating from the palm of her, as she led home fans in a celebratory chorus of an old Māori classic 'Tūtira Mai Ngā Iwi'.
Since then, she has been rarely seen on local rugby fields, as she took time out and pursued off-field interests, including a book and various promotional campaigns.
Ruby Tui in action during the World Cup final against England. Photo credit: Photosport
Tui returned for Counties-Manukau during the Farah Palmer Cup and included in the national squad for the later part of their international campaign, including last month's O'Reilly Cup clash against Australia.
Not selected for that fixture, she has had to work her way back into the playing line-up, but will line up on the wing against France at Wellington's Sky Stadium.
"It's been a long year and a long journey," said Tui. "The girls have done a really good job holding down the jersey and being kaitiakis [guardians] of it.
"I've seen the likes of KV [Katelyn Vahaakolo] really do some damage out there. It hasn't been a matter of coming back and making the team - it's been really, really hard mahi [work].
"It's an absolute honour to be back, but definitely a journey still."
The gameday squad include more than half the players that faced France in the World Cup semi-final 12 months ago, a contest that went to the final seconds, when French goalkicker Caroline Drouin missing a penalty attempt that would have ended the Black Ferns hopes.
"It wasn't that close, was it?" Tui chuckled. "I've been through many losses myself, close losses, and I know what that feels and tastes like.
"It takes years actually to get that taste out of your mouth. France have got a new captain, a new identity and they're definitely here to let us know exactly how close that was.
"Everyone has come back and not forgotten that World Cup."
Front-rowers Georgia Ponsonby and Amy Rule, lock Alana Bremner, No.8 Liana Mikaele-Tu'u, captain Ruahei Demant, Tui and fullback Renee Holmes were in the starting XV that night, while co-captain Kennedy Simon, named to start this week, came off the bench.
"France is an incredible team," she said. "They have continued to impress in their performances over the last 12 months.
Black Ferns celebrate their World Cup semi-final win over France. Photo credit: Photosport
"We are under no illusion of the challenge we are up against. We know they are fit, fast and are a menace over the ball.
"However, we also know that, as a team, we have the talent to exploit space, ability to pressure their attacking systems and trust in our teammates to work tirelessly for one another."
