Bay of Plenty's Kelsie Wills, Kendra Reynolds and Angel Mulu are three of the 15 players who will be making their international rugby debuts tomorrow morning against Fiji.

Luka Connor, from the Bay of Plenty will also be on the team, one of the eight who has previously played internationally.

Arihiana Marino-Tauhinu will lead the Black Ferns Development XV in their opening game of the Oceania Rugby tournament in Lautoka.

An exciting young group of Farah Palmer Cup stars are among the team selected by Head Coach Wayne Maxwell for the Black Ferns Development XV to face Fiji, in their first match of the 2019 Oceania Rugby Women's Rugby Championship at Churchill Park, Lautoka on Monday.

The Black Ferns Development XV team in Nadi for the Oceania Rugby Women's Championships

Wayne says the squad had assembled on Wednesday evening and had quickly come together as a unit.

'This is an exciting bunch of talented young players who have had stood out in the Farah Palmer Cup this season. This is their opportunity to take the next step in their playing career.
"The players have connected really well as a team and we can't wait to get out there on Monday.”

It is the first time a Black Ferns Development XV side has taken part in the Oceania Rugby Women's Championship which includes Fiji, Samoa, Papua New Guinea, Tonga and Australia A.

The Black Ferns and Australia have qualified for 2021 Rugby World Cup and will play in pool matches only.

The team is (* denotes international debut):

All matches will be screened live on SKY Sport 1.

2019 Oceania Rugby Women's Rugby Championship

Monday, 18 November
11am Samoa v Papua New Guinea
1.30pm Australia A v Tonga
4pm Black Ferns v Fiji

Thursday 21 November
11am Tonga v Papua New Guinea
1.30pm Black Ferns v Australia A
4pm Samoa v Fiji

Tuesday 26 November
11am Black Ferns v Papua New Guinea

Note: Hawke's Bay's Krysten Cottrell was replaced due to injury by Otago's Rosie Kelly.