Whose on the plane to France?

It wasn't news the Black Ferns fans would have wanted. Our Global XV Series kicks off with a replay of the World Cup Bronze Final this weekend and our captain and first five is out. Ruahei Demant has injured her calf badly enough that a replacement is being called in. So who is the player getting a call up?

The most obvious choice is likely unavailable. Renee Holmes switched to sevens after a strong season at first five for the Hurricanes Poua. Watching Renee this year though, it's clear she has a bucket list of things she wants to do and is determined to cross them off. The 2028 Olympic Games is clearly at the top of that list.

Renee is the first option for most fans, particularly with a match against England fast approaching. But I don't think she's Whitney Hansen's first choice. I've been watching her as closely as I have Renee and she's more or less told me who she's calling up.

"We have a real opportunity to be courageous and look at some young talent."

That's what Whitney told me about her selection strategy back in February. She wants to experiment this year. Building a depth and breadth of talent to enable her to draw from the largest pool possible come 2029. She also is deadset on doing what she can to develop a proper pathway or as she often puts it "sending the elevator back down".

So before any official announcement is made, I know who Whitney would have called. The player that's most consistent with this approach is Arene Landon-Lane. The first five for the Black Ferns XV last month, could be elevated in this one. A big step up from steering the Wellington Pride last weekend to getting on the plane to join the Black Ferns. As far as I see it though, her selection would represent an even bigger step for what it represents in the development of New Zealand women's rugby.

You've heard be bang this drum long enough. Feeders, feeders, feeders, I want stronger feeders to the top side. By picking directly from the Black Ferns XV you're giving that team real credibility. That it is a launchpad now, something for players to aspire to. A step up from Aupiki and another place to further your development. This team becomes something we are doing because it adds values to the system and the players. Not just something we are doing to tick a box.

So I hope that isn't just a coincidence that Arene Landon-Lane has disappeared from the Wellington Pride lineup this weekend. I hope she's caught a flight to her future.

If it is Arene, you really have no excuse to not be watching the Farah Palmer Cup. Who knows what else may happen and who else may be elevated up. I've assembled the watch guide again but please note that apparently there may actually be a stream in Northland after all! Watch their socials for more.

Whoever it is that Whitney calls up, they aren't going to arrive in time to feature this weekend. The teams are set and look VERY different to when these two last met at Twickenham for the World Cup Bronze final.

I honestly don't know enough about the French but also, I'm not sure it ever really helps when you do. They love to keep everyone on their toes and they are doing it again on Sunday, naming Teani Feleu as second five rather than number 8. I love that in women's rugby, she's not even the only player to do this at an international level. Just goes to show the versatility of these athletes and sets us up with a cracking head to head with Sylvia Brunt.

When I look at the Black Ferns line up, I have three main thoughts.

1. Congratulations to Georgia Ponsonby who is now captain in her own right. Carrying on the proud tradition of Black Ferns hookers leading our side. It's a tough job though as part of the trouble we had last week was compounded by us clearly getting on the wrong side of the ref. I'll be watching Georgia closely to see how she manages this relationship. We cannot afford to give anything away for free.
2. Welcome back Layla Sae! It feels to me (and likely not at all to her!) like this has been a speedy recovery from her ACL injury. Her return is made all the more welcome with Kaipo Olsen-Baker currently sidelined with an injury of her own. I'm excited to see her enter the fray.
3. I'm hoping for an early introduction of Shyrah Tuliau-Tua'a please! This is said with no disrespect to Mererangi Paul and Justine McGregor but is purely a horse for courses thing for me. France are PHYSICAL. Their annual fixture with England isn't called Le Crunch for nothing. I just think that Shyrah will thrive in these conditions and can't wait to see her unleashed.

This match is being played at a very unpalatable 3.45am Sunday morning. So personally I will be sleeping in and then watching the replay over breakfast in bed. I encourage you to do the same!

With you,
Alice