Matatū represented well in the Black Ferns squad to face Canada

Five of our Matatū girls will take the field in the Black Ferns jersey at Apollo Projects Stadium this weekend.

The girls face Canada on Sunday 19 May in Christchurch, the Black Ferns second test of the Pacific Four Series. They beat the USA in Hamilton last weekend 57-5, while Canada beat the USA on 29 April 50-7.

Georgia Ponsonby starts at hooker, with fellow Matatū front-rower Amy Rule ready to make an impact off the bench in jersey 17. Ponsonby will earn her 22nd cap in the black jersey, while Rule will earn her 21st.

Maia Joseph debuted for the Black Ferns versus the USA last week and will build off that performance this weekend at halfback. She was given the Matatū Rookie of the Year Koru award in 2024, her Black Ferns appointment the icing on a fantastic break out Super Rugby season.

Amy du Plessis opened the scoring within the first two minutes against the USA in Hamilton and will start in the centre against Canada. She’ll add to her 15 Black Ferns caps.

Kaipo Olsen-Baker will pull on the 20 jersey when her time comes in her fourth cap for the Black Ferns. She was given the Matatū Player of the Year Aoraki Award in 2024 thanks to her dominant playing style and ability to close out crucial moments.

“Our ladies delivered some special moments last weekend against USA,” said Allan Bunting, Black Ferns Director of Rugby.

“We were able to see quite a bit of growth in what we have been working through. We want to continue to build on this again this weekend.

“Canada presents a quality challenge we need on our journey into world cup. As a coaching group we want to continue to see growth in certain areas of our game.”