Bit of an unknown': Black Fern's three-year road to recall

Whitney Brooker has been recalled to the Black Ferns for a three-test series against France, returning to test rugby three years after her last appearance. The squad call comes after Alena Saili and Maia Davis were released back to the sevens pathway, with Brooker brought in as the Black Ferns enter a new World Cup cycle under management, led by Whitney Hansen from the start of the year. Brooker will join the team for the match in Hamilton on Saturday, followed by tests in Whangārei and Christchurch. She said her recall reflects improvements from the season, including better catch-pass work and more dominant carries, and described coming home from Australia’s AFLW as a “bit of an unknown.”