Black Ferns and All Blacks sides named

Canterbury will be represented by four All Blacks and seven Black Ferns this weekend, with a couple of big milestones to look forward to.

Lincoln University’s Sam Whitelock will become the most capped All Black ever when he enters the game off the bench against Italy, playing his 149th test, surpassing Christchurch’s Richie McCaw in taking the honour.

It will also be a special moment for Burnside’s Tamaiti Williams as he makes his Rugby World Cup debut off the pine as well. Also set to feature in the All Blacks must win match against the Italians is Codie Taylor (Sydenham) and Richie Mo’unga (Linwood).

Taking on the Wallaroos following Canterbury’s NPC match against Waikato in Hamilton, the Black Ferns side will feature a potential debut for Martha Mataele (Christchurch), who is named in jersey #23 for the O’Reilly Cup clash.

She’s joined on the bench by Christchurch teammates Lucy Jenkins and Rosie Kelly, while the Lincoln University trio of Georgia Ponsonby, Amy Rule and Alana Bremner have been named to start, alongside Christchurch’s Amy Du Plessis, to ensure Canterbury are well covered in the Black jersey on Saturday.