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Black Ferns v France
Kick-off: 11:30pm Saturday 27 September
Live blog updates on RNZ Sport
Star player Jorja Miller returns to the Black Ferns in one of two changes to the starting side for their Rugby World Cup bronze medal match against France.
Miller missed out on the semifinal match against Canada through an injury that the team decided not to make public.
Co-captain Kennedy Tukuafu took her place on the side of the scrum for that match, but has been omitted from the 23 selected for the playoff match, with loose forward Layla Sae again named on the bench.
In the other starting change, Laura Bayfield also returns from an unspecified injury at lock, displacing Alana Bremner, who drops to the bench.
There are other changes on the bench, with winger Katelyn Vahaakolo chosen over Ayesha Leti-I'iga. In the forward reserves, hooker Vici-Rose Green replaces Atlanta Lolohea, while prop Awhina Tangen-Wainohu comes in for Kate Henwood.
Miller, nominated this week for World Rugby's breakthrough player and women's 15s player of the year awards, will be welcomed as the team attempts to finish the tournament on a high, after their humbling 34-19 loss to Canada in their semifinal.
The bronze medal is not only the only thing at stake, with the result also determining whether the Black Ferns are ranked third or fourth in the world.
Head coach Allan Bunting said the team was determined to put on a performance they would be proud of.
"We've been gifted another opportunity to turn things around for our nation and I know the team will do everything they can to finish this campaign strong," he said in a statement, adding that the team have connected well this week.
France has made three changes to the side beaten by England in their semifinal.
Lock Taina Maka and right wing Joanna Grisez make the starting side, with Hina Ikahehegi and Kelly Arbey dropping to the reserves, while Emilie Boulard has been chosen at fullback ahead of Morgane Bourgeois, who misses out on the 23.
The New Zealanders beat France comfortably in their last match-up, winning 39-14 at the WXV 1 tournament in Vancouver last year.
Their clash at the last World Cup was a semifinal thriller, with the Black Ferns winning 25-24.
The play-off will precede the final, for which England and Canada have named unchanged line-ups from their semifinals.
Black Ferns
1. Chryss Viliko, 2. Georgia Ponsonby, 3. Tanya Kalounivale, 4. Maiakawanakaulani Roos, 5. Laura Bayfield, 6. Liana Mikaele-Tu'u, 7. Jorja Miller, 8. Kaipo Olsen-Baker, 9. Risaleaana Pouri-Lane, 10. Ruahei Demant (c), 11. Portia Woodman-Wickliffe, 12. Logo-I-Pulotu Lemapu-Atai'i Sylvia Brunt, 13. Stacey Waaka, 14. Braxton Sorensen-McGee, 15. Renee Holmes
Bench: 16. Vici-Rose Green, 17. Awhina Tangen-Wainohu, 18. Amy Rule, 19. Alana Bremner, 20. Layla Sae, 21. Maia Joseph, 22. Theresa Setefano,
23. Katelyn Vahaakolo.
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