The Black Ferns XV named to face Manusina XV in a one-off match in Pukekohe tomorrow features four Otago Spirit players.
Experienced loosehead prop Eilis Doyle, industrious openside Leah Miles, talent first five Mia Joseph and elusive centre Cheyenne Cunningham have been selected in the run on side.
Coaches Whitney Hansen, Linda Itunu and Peter Breen have picked on form.
Canterbury midfielder Grace Brooker will captain the side and is one of three internationally capped players in the Black Ferns XV.
The other two, Marcelle Parkes and Esther Faiaoga-Tilo, will provide impact from the bench to the front row with Doyle, Atlanta Lolohea and Moomooga Palu anchoring the starting forward pack.
Holly Wratt-Groeneweg, Miles and Elizabith Moimoi will form a dynamic loose forward trio.
Di Hiini and Joseph combine at halfback and first five-eighths while Brooker will pair up with Cunningham in the midfield.
There is plenty of youth and speed out wide with Harmony Kautai, Angelica Mekemeke-Vahai and Tara Turner rounding out the starting side.
Hansen recognised the one-week campaign meant the squad had to come together quickly.
"We have some very special people in this group, management included, so it’s been easy for us all to connect.
"From a rugby perspective it’s been cool to see some connections that haven’t played together starting to gel and we’re excited to see that come to life on Saturday," she said.
"We want to play high tempo.
"It will be exciting to watch, our players have some special skill sets so there should be some creativity and risk taking in how they play."
Black Ferns XV
To play Manusina XV
Tara Turner, Angelica Mekemeke-Vahai, Cheyenne Cunningham, Grace Brooker (captain), Harmony Kautai, Maia Joseph, Di Hiini, Elizabith Moimoi, Leah Miles, Holly Wratt-Groeneweg, Laura Bayfield, Maama Vaipulu, Moomooga Palu, Atlanta Lolohea, Eilis Doyle. Reserves: Vici-Rose Green, Marcelle Parkes, Esther Faiaoga-Tilo, Emma Dermody, Mia Anderson, Kahlia Awa, Rangamarie Sturmey, Justine McGregor.
