Black Ferns: Ayesha Leti-I'iga to make test debut against USA in ...

Wellington winger Ayesha Leti-I'iga. Credits: Photo - Getty; Video - Black Ferns

Young Wellington speedster Ayesha Leti-I'iga has been named to make her test debut for the Black Ferns against the USA in Chicago on Sunday (NZ time).

The 19-year-old is one of two uncapped players named by coach Glenn Moore, with Wellington teammate Monica Tagoai to debut off the bench.

Moore said Leti-I'iga has been on Black Ferns' selectors' radar for the last couple of years, and her impressive form this season warranted her selection having scored 41 tries in just 13 matches, including nine hat-tricks.

"Ayesha is the highest try-scorer in the Farah Palmer Cup and also in club rugby in New Zealand," said Moore.

"Coming into this level of rugby is always a challenge and there's plenty for the new ones to learn. But she's progressed well in our environment and received great support from the more experienced players. We're really excited to watch Ayesha on the big stage this weekend."

Overall Moore has selected an experienced squad to face the fourth-ranked USA, with Fiao'o Faamausili to captain the side.

The Black Ferns last faced the USA in a World Cup semi-final in 2017, a match the New Zealand side won 45-12.

Moore said the Black Ferns were likely to face a very different side on Sunday, with a host of new caps in the American team.

"We're facing many unknowns but we do know they'll be athletic, we know they'll be physical and we know they'll be fast, so we're going to have to go out there and be on top of our game."

That match will be the first of three played on Sunday at Soldier Field with Ireland to face Italy at 9am, and then the Māori All Blacks facing the USA men's side at 12pm.

Black Ferns squad to face USA

1-Phillipa Love, 2-Fiao'o Faamausili (c), 3-Aldora Itunu, 4-Eloise Blackwell, 5-Charmaine Smith, 6-Charmaine McMenamin, 7-Les Elder, 8-Aroha Savage, 9-Kendra Cocksedge, 10-Ruahei Demant, 11- Ayesha Leti-I'iga, 12-Chelsea Alley, 13-Stacey Waaka, 14-Renee Wickliffe, 15-Selica Winiata

Reserves: 16-Te Kura Ngata-Aerengamate, 17-Leilani Perese, 18-Aleisha-Pearl Nelson, 19-Jackie Patea-Fereti, 20-Linda Itunu, 21-Kristina Sue, 22-Krysten Cottrell, 23-Monica Tagoai

Newshub.

Join us for live updates of the USA vs Black Ferns from 5:30am Sunday.

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