The Black Ferns have been dealt a big injury blow as they prepare to travel to the United States for the upcoming Pacific Four series, with veteran lock Chelsea Bremner ruled out through injury.

The 30-year-old injured a knee in training last week in Wellington.

It is unclear how severe the injury is, but it is a big loss for new coach Whitney Hansen, as Bremner was one of the senior figures in the squad, boasting 24 caps to her name.

Her spot in the 30-strong squad has been taken up by uncapped Hurricanes Poua lock Sam Taylor, who has been part of the wider training group.

Taylor is a player very familiar to Hansen, having played under her with the inaugural Black Ferns XV squad in 2023, and again last year on their tour to South Africa.

The 23-year-old also plays for the Manawatū Cyclones in the Farah Palmer Cup.

Last year, Taylor became the first woman to receive her blazer for the Freyberg Old Boys rugby club in Palmerston North, having been part of their inaugural women’s rugby team.

Taylor’s inclusion means there are nine uncapped players in the squad alongside props Maddison Robinson and Mo’omo’oga Palu, loose forwards Mia Anderson and Taufa Bason, halfback Tara Turner, midfielder Hollyrae Mete-Renata and outside backs Justine McGregor and Shyrah Tuliau-Tua’a.

It is Hansen’s first squad in charge of the Black Ferns, since she replaced Allan Bunting as coach.

The squad also see players who are currently plying their trade in England return to test rugby, with co-captain Ruahei Demant (Bristol Bears), prop Tanya Kalounivale (Ealing Trailfinders), hooker Georgia Ponsonby (Ealing), lock Maiakawanakaulani Roos (Ealing) and loose forward Liana Mikaele-Tu’u (Harlequins) all included.

Ponsonby, who is contracted with Ealing until the end of the Premiership Women’s Rugby (PWR) season, has been granted an eligibility exemption by the New Zealand Rugby (NZR) board due to injuries in her position.

The Black Ferns’ first game of the Pacific Four Series is April 12 at Sacramento against the US before facing Canada in Kansas City six days later.

They round off their trip with a clash against the Wallaroos on the Sunshine Coast on Anzac Day.