Auckland lock Eloise Blackwell is the new Black Ferns captain.
Blackwell has been named to lead the squad which includes nine uncapped players.
Photo: PHOTOSPORT
Les Elder, who led the side in 2019, gave birth to her first child this year and wasn't considered for selection because of injury.
Blackwell, a 29-year-old lock from Great Barrier Island (Aotea), made her debut in the black jersey in 2011 against England.
With 43 caps to her name, she was part of the Black Ferns 2014 and 2017 Rugby World Cup campaigns.
Canterbury halfback Kendra Cocksedge has been named as vice captain.
The only Black Ferns games this year are against the Barbarians over the next two weeks in Waitakere and Nelson.
Black Ferns Head Coach Glenn Moore said Blackwell had grown her leadership skills in her role as captain for the Auckland Storm and had been a core member of the Black Ferns leadership group for several years.
"Ella sets an example as a tough and uncompromising player, often playing out the full 80 minutes for us. She has excellent game knowledge and leads by the way she plays. Along with this is she is a strategic thinker and natural communicator.
"Backed by Kendra, I believe the two of them will help us grow and develop the squad we need to be in the best possible position for Rugby World Cup next year."
Moore has included four new forwards and five new backs in the 2020 squad.
The nine new caps are: Amy Du Plessis (Otago), Renee Holmes (Waikato), Tanya Kalounivale (Waikato), Ilisapetu Molia (Counties Manukau), Kendra Reynolds (Bay of Plenty), Cheyelle Robins-Reti (Waikato), Grace Steinmetz (Canterbury), Lanulangi Veainu (Counties Manukau) and Kelsie Wills (Bay of Plenty).
Amy du Plessis Photo: PHOTOSPORT
The 2020 Black Ferns squad is (Test caps in brackets, new caps in bold):
FORWARDS
Eloise Blackwell (Captain, 43) Auckland
Chelsea Bremner Canterbury
Luka Connor (5) Bay of Plenty
Tanya Kalounivale Waikato
Phillipa Love (11) Canterbury
Charmaine McMenamin (25) Auckland
Ilisapetu Molia Counties Manukau
Toka Natua (22) Waikato
Aleisha-Pearl Nelson (35) Auckland
Te Kura Ngata-Aerengamate (30) Northland
Kendra Reynolds Bay of Plenty
Aroha Savage (33) Northland
Kennedy Simon (4) Waikato
Pia Tapsell (5) Bay of Plenty
Cristo Tofa (2) Auckland
Kelsie Wills Bay of Plenty
BACKS
Chelsea Alley (24) Waikato
Grace Brooker (1) Canterbury
Kendra Cocksedge (Vice-Captain, 53) Canterbury
Ruahei Demant (11) Auckland
Amy DuPlessis Otago
Renee Holmes Waikato
Arihiana Marino-Tauhinu (6) Counties Manukau
Cheyelle Robins-Reti Waikato
Grace Steinmetz Canterbury
Hazel Tubic (11) Counties Manukau
Lanulangi Veainu Counties Manukau
Selica Winiata (40) Manawatu
*Not considered due to injury: Lesley Elder (Bay of Plenty), Jackie Patea-Fereti (Wellington), Carla Hohepa (Waikato), Forne Burkin (Hawke's Bay), Renee Wickliffe (Bay of Plenty) and Ayesha Leti-Iiga (Wellington).
