Georgia Ponsonby (R) of New Zealand celebrates her try. Photo: Andrew Cornaga/www.photosport.nz
Black Ferns v Canada
Kick-off: 3:35pm Saturday 17 May
Apollo Projects Stadium, Christchurch
Live blog updates on RNZ Sport
The Black Ferns are chuffed to have one of the rugby's greatest ever players back in their ranks as they look to get one back over Canada and reclaim the Pacific Four title.
Saturday's clash at Christchurch shapes as a grudge match after New Zealand were beaten by the North Americans last year at the same venue.
That 22-19 defeat meant New Zealand failed to retain their Pacific Four title and also robbed the Black Ferns of their World No.2 ranking.
Georgia Ponsonby of New Zealand. Photo: Andrew Cornaga/www.photosport.nz
Hooker Georgia Ponsonby said revenge has played a role in the host's build up to the test.
"Really excited to have another crack at Canada," Ponsonby said.
"We lost them last year. So, yeah we're looking for a bit of redemption and we're really excited to play a quality side. We know it's going to be a tough battle, so those are the best games to play. We're all just really excited."
Portia Woodman-Wickliffe is back for the Black Ferns. Photo: Andrew Cornaga/www.photosport.nz
Sevens and 15s star Portia Woodman-Wickliffe is back in the Black Ferns side for the first time since the 2022 World Cup final and Ponsonby is delighted to have the former World Sevens and 15s player of the year in the team and said it gives the entire squad a boost in confidence.
"100 percent. She's (Woodman-Wickliffe) so awesome.
"She's an awesome human off the field as well, so she's just such a great addition to have in the squad," Ponsonby said.
"We all know what she can do. She's a bit of a cheat code really with her unbelievable abilities to beat a player one on one.
"She's so awesome to have in the team and I'm really excited to see she has the starting spot and excited to see what she's going to do."
With just three matches remaining until the Black Ferns kick off their World Cup title defence in England in August and September and Ponsonby said the fight to seal spots in the matchday 23 is heating up.
"Our environment's incredibly competitive. We have such quality players right across the park in every single position.
"So each time you get the opportunity to get out onto the training pitch, you have to bring your your 'A' game. That's really awesome because that's how you bring the best out in everyone.
"That's exactly what we need going into a World Cup is competition in the group because that's going to make us strive to be better each day and put us in the best position possible to bring the Cup home."
Canada beat the Black Ferns in Christchurch in 2024. Photo: © Photosport Ltd 2024 www.photosport.nz
Ponsonby knows the World No.2 ranked Canadians will offer a true test of their World Cup credentials.
"It's exactly what we need to be put under some pressure leading into a World Cup.
"We know that Canada are a strong team, they're going to bring it up front. They love a rolling maul so our full defence is going to get tested this week no doubt which is exactly what we need."
Ponsonby believes the Black Ferns have improved markedly at set piece time and in defending or employing a rolling maul. She's confident the New Zealand forward pack can match it with the likes of World No.1 England, who are incredibly strong in that area.
"We've got an incredible forwards coach in Dan Cron who has trained our maul defence into into what it is now.
"Last year we proved that we have gotten a lot better at that. It's definitely one of our strengths now."
