Alena Saili, in her second year out of school, has been picked to start on the left wing for the national women's side when it takes on Australia in Sydney tomorrow night.
Saili (19) is already an established figure in the sevens game, having first made her debut for the national sevens side at the start of last year.
She was also a key player for Southland Girls' High School when it won the top-four competition in 2016.
In the final against St Mary's College, of Wellington, she scored three tries to help her team to a 46-29 victory.
Saili was picked for the sevens squad straight out of school and was a member of the side which won gold at the Commonwealth Games on the Gold Coast in April.
She later decided to throw her hand in the 15-a-side game and has been rewarded with selection in her first test.
She is yet to play a game at provincial level as her sevens commitments have kept her away from the Farah Palmer Cup.
Otago had its eyes on her to play but it is unclear whether she will have time to play for the Spirit. No8 Casey Robertson was born and bred in Southland but represented Canterbury when she played 38 times for the Black Ferns.
Saili is one of five new caps in the Black Ferns to take on Australia
Auckland first five-eighth Ruahei Demant will make her debut while Krysten Cottrell (Hawke's Bay), Cristo Tofa (North Harbour) and Leilani Perese (Counties Manukau) are in line to make their debuts off the bench.
Play kicks off at 7.15pm.
Black Ferns to play Australia
Selica Winiata, Renee Wickliffe, Stacey Waaka, Theresa Fitzpatrick, Alena Saili, Ruahei Demant, Kendra Cocksedge, Aroha Savage, Les Elder, Charmaine McMenamin, Charmaine Smith, Eloise Blackwell, Aldora Itunu, Fiao’o Faamausili (capt), Phillipa Love. Reserves: Te Kura Ngata-Aerengamate, Cristo Tofa, Leilani Perese, Jackie Patea-Fereti, Linda Itunu, Kristina Sue, Krysten Cottrell, Chelsea Alley.
