Ayesha Leti-I’iga ready for another big rugby moment in Twickenham

Ayesha Leti-I’iga is ready for another big Twickenham moment, returning from a calf injury to start for the Black Ferns against the English Red Roses.

The Sāmoan winger has already made one memorable comeback at the London stadium, returning there after an ACL injury.

“The last time I played at Twickenham I was actually returning from doing my ACL [knee injury] and it was an exciting time then and I know it will be exactly that come Saturday [Sunday, NZT].

“The atmosphere is definitely something we’ve spoken about, but I guess a lot of us thrive off it," Leti-I'iga told journalists.

The 27-year-old Wellington-born talent will face England for the first time since the Black Ferns lost 49-31 in Canada in 2024.

More than 50,000 fans are expected at Allianz Stadium, Twickenham for the final Test of the Black Ferns’ northern WXV Global Series campaign. The match is also set to be the biggest crowd for a standalone Black Ferns Test.

England’s 39-match winning run was ended by a 26-26 draw against Canada last weekend but the Red Roses remain unbeaten in their past 40 Tests.

Leti-I’iga says the focus is on the Black Ferns rather than England’s record.

“We’ve spoken a lot about ourselves, and going from good to great… really we just want to control what we can control in this game… and just worry about our game.

The Black Ferns will be without captain Ruahei Demant (right), who sustained a calf injury in their 52-20 win over the Springboks Women.

“We want to see our game and what that looks like, and what our Black Ferns identity looks like and we hope we can display that on Saturday.”

Black Ferns head coach Whitney Hansen says they have used some unusual methods to prepare for the noise and distractions expected at Twickenham.

“We’ve done a few different things… sort of walking around the line outs with a boom box, different bits and pieces of music on,” Hansen told journalists. “Cranberries were the main hit on Tuesday at training.

“But I think a few different things around distraction and what might cause that, and I guess mental performance and those skill sets can be generalised so as much as they haven’t been in front of those numbers, they have been under pressure.”

Pacific team-mate Liana Mikaele-Tu’u is also looking forward to the occasion, saying the atmosphere around rugby in England is something the Black Ferns embrace.

“It is a huge stadium with an amazing atmosphere, and the times that we’ve played there we’ve had amazing crowds,” Mikaele-Tu’u told journalists.

“I think just the support for rugby in general is something that is really infectious for us and we love that. It’s something we’re probably not use to often, so when we are there, it’s something we really embrace.”

Leti-I’iga says there is also a lighter Twickenham memory.

During the 2024 tour, she went viral after approaching King Charles III for a hug.

Asked whether she planned another royal catch-up this time, the 27-year-old joked that rugby had taken priority.

“We’ve already had our catch up actually, I had dinner there actually, he sends his love and all, but I told him I had to come, because I had this media thing.”

Leti-I’iga returns alongside Mikaele-Tu’u in a Black Ferns starting XV that also includes Kaipo Olsen-Baker and Laura Bayfield, who have returned to the match-day 23.

Kick-off: Sunday 27 September, 3am NZT.

New Zealand: Chryss Viliko, Georgia Ponsonby, Veisinia Mahutariki-Fakalelu, Maiakawanakaulani Roos, Laura Bayfield, Liana Mikaele-Tu’u, Elinor-Plum King, Kaipo Olsen-Baker, Maia Joseph, Hannah King, Ayesha Leti-I’iga, Logo-I-Pulotu Lemapu-Atai’i Sylvia Brunt, Amy Du Plessis, Mererangi Paul, Braxton Sorensen-McGee. Replacements: Atlanta Lolohea, Maddison Robinson, Santo Taumata, Maama Mo’onia Vaipulu, Layla Sae, Tara Turner, Justine Mcgregor, Alena Saili.

England: TBC