Liv McGoverne is set to earn her 50th cap for Canterbury in Saturdays Bunnings Warehouse FPC grand final in Christchurch. The midfielder made her debut back in 2015 and has since gone on to be a linchpin in the Canterbury backline, winning 4 FPC titles along the way. 

“Liv’s experience will be invaluable for us this weekend, her combination with Tori has blossomed and she’s developed a real presence in the backline. 50 caps are a real testament to her determination and commitment to the team,” said Coach Blair Baxter. 

Steph Te Ohaere Fox will captain the side in her 105th game in red and black in the absence of Alana Bremner who’s unavailable due to Black Fern commitments. “Steph has slotted nicely back into leading the side, she has a lot of Mana and is real calming influence on our girls. Between Steph & Toddy (Rebecca Todd) they know what it takes to perform in finals Footy,” Baxter added. 

Heavy injuries in the locking stocks have seen the coaching group rethink their second-row combination with inform loosie Lucy Jenkins slotting into lock for the first time in her career and will partner Stacey Niao who’s been a standout in her first season of FPC. Cindy Nelles who scored the match winner in last year’s grand final hasn’t played all year due to ongoing concussion symptoms, while Black Fern Chelsea Bremner suffered a fractured hand earlier in the season against Auckland and rising star Emma Dermody’s season ended two weeks ago versus Otago due to a broken forearm.    

Lucy Anderson’s durability will again be on show, starting at loosehead prop, having moved from number 8 last year and the midfield the year before. “That’s the sort of commitment and attitude this team is made up of,” Baxter remarked when quizzed on Anderson and Jenkins ability to changes positions. “When this team needs something, there’s always people putting their hands up to offer themselves as a solution.” 

Youngster Jorja Miller returns to the starting line-up, having sat out last weeks win against Manawatu, while the back line that started in that match remains the same for their tilt at their 5th FPC title in a row. 

1      Lucy Anderson

2      Rebecca Todd

3      Steph Te Ohaere-Fox

4      Lucy Jenkins

5      Stacey Niao

6      Greer O'Rourke

7      Jorja Miller 

8      Marcelle Parkes

9      Mel Puckett

10    Terauoriwa Gapper

11    Grace Steinmetz

12    Liv McGoverne 

13    Amy Du Plessis 

14    Izzy Waterman

15    Rosie Kelly 

16    Amy Milnes

17    Trina Greenslade

18    Nicole Purdom  

19    Kalesi Taga

20    Martha Mataele

21    Di Hiini 

22    Tayla Simpson

23    Bronwyn Dibb

Article added: Friday 08 October 2021