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Kia ora, good afternoon and welcome to Newshub's live coverage of the Black Ferns v USA Pacific Four clash at Hamilton's FMG Stadium.
After retaining their world crown on home soil in 2022, the NZ women came crashing back to earth last year, taking out the Pacific Four series unbeaten, but struggling against the nothern hemisphere's best during the inaugural WXV1 tournament.
Resounding losses to France and England have put them back where they were before the last World Cup, with another looming next year, so coach Allan Bunting will want to develop the new talent on his roster to become competitive again.
The Ferns are still trying to replace retired veteran Kendra Cocksedge at halfback and have named Maia Joseph - daughter of former All Black Jamie Joseph - for her debut in the No.9 jersey.
The Americans went winless through last year's Pacific Four event, missing qualification for the WXV1 competition, and have already suffered their first defeat this year, falling 50-7 to Canada two weeks ago.
Bunting will want to see some early cohesion from his squad, with Canada and Australia looming over the next two weeks.
Join us at 2pm for kickoff.
TAB Odds: NZ TBD, USA $21
'She must be the favourite': Joseph's Black Ferns debut takes backseat to sister's graduation
Rookie halfback Maia Joseph won't bother looking into the stands for her family, when she makes her Black Ferns debut against USA on Saturday.
The daughter of former All Blacks loose forward Jamie Joseph has been named in the No.9 jersey against the Americans at Hamilton's FMG Stadium, but already knows her legendary dad has a prior booking and won't be there for her big moment.
"It's actually my sister's graduation at the exact same time," said Maia Joseph. "She's graduating law school, so my parents are at that in Dunedin and coming next week.
"Yeah, she must be the favourite... I'm joking."
After returning from his seven-year stint has coach of the Japan national team, Jamie Joseph is back in the south, where he played most of his career, now serving as head of rugby for the Highlanders, who host the Crusaders in a Super Rugby Pacific derby on Saturday night.
Yet another solid reason for missing Maia's debut.
"I've talked to him quite a bit, but not too much about the game, just about him being proud and that kind of thing," she admitted.
After learning of her selection this week, Joseph, 21, texted her family with the good news.
"I didn't really get the whole reaction, but they were really proud," she said. "I called Mum and Dad later... they were really excited and gutted they can't be there.
"Mainly just proud of me, and reminding me to take it all in and be really present, and get stuck in."
Joseph insists she has been accepted easily into the world champion Black Ferns, who are still searching for their long-term replacement for retired legend Kendra Cocksedge after the World Cup two years ago.
Her arrival has come without some uncertainty, as she addressed her maiden media conference alongside veteran lock Maia Roos. The pair have nicknames to avoid confusion - but that hasn't helped.
"She's 'Squirm' and I'm 'Worm'," informed Roos. "The whole team just says that on the field now, because we get too confused with Maia.
"Even though they're quite similar," giggled Joseph.
"Maia still gets said on the field, so if you see me kicking, it's just missed comms," insisted Roos.
