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03:05

Wallaroos make some changes as they plot upset win over Black Ferns

358 days ago

Wallaroos players in the players tunnel before running out to play the 2024 Pacific Four Series match between Australia Wallaroos and USA at AAMI Park on May 17, 2024 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Asanka Ratnayake/Getty Images for Rugby Australia)

Coach Jo Yapp has made four changes to the starting side that lost to USA last week as Australia prepares to take on arch-rivals New Zealand this weekend with their WXV1 hopes on the line.

The Wallaroos have started their new era under coach Yapp with two defeats from as many starts. Following a convincing defeat to eventual Pacific Four Series champions Canada, the Aussies couldn’t hold onto their half-time lead against USA.

Australia will need to beat traditional rivals New Zealand for the first time, with a winning bonus point as well, to book their play at WXV1 in October. If the women in gold fail to do that, then they will miss out on the prestigious event.

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Coach Yapp has named a relatively settled side for the decisive Black Ferns fixtures with Atasi Lafai, Leilani Nathan and Cecilia Smith the three personnel changes to the run-on team. Captain Michaela Leonard has also shifted from tighthead to loosehead lock.

“While the first two results against Canada and USA have not been what we were after, the team has come together well and have shown some good learnings and progressions,” coach Jo Yapp said in a statement.

“We’ve had a really good week of training in Auckland and I am excited to see how the team performs against the Black Ferns.

“Ash Marsters is unfortunately unavailable through injury.”

NSW Waratahs props Brianna Hoy and Eva Karpani have retained their spots in the starting side where they’ll be joined by 12-cap hooker Tania Naden.

Captain Leonard is set for a career milestone this weekend after being named to play her 25^th Test. The Western Force lock will partner Atasi Lafai in the middle row, while Siokapesi Plau, Leilani Nathan and Piper Duck complete the forwards.

Nathan comes into the First XV at openside flanker following an injury to last weekend’s starter Ashley Marsters who has suffered an ankle injury.

Samantha Wood partners experienced flyhalf Arabella McKenzie in the halves once again, but they’ll have a new face outside them compared to the match against USA with Cecila Smith set to wear the No. 12 jumper.

Smith will partner Waratahs centre Georgina Friedrichs in the midfield.

It’s an all-NSW Waratahs outside backs trio, too, with Desiree Miller named to start on the left wing and Maya Stewart on the right. 17-year-old Caitlyn Halse retain her spot at fullback after debuting for the Wallaroos last week.

Kaitlyn Leaney and Trilleen Pomare will both look to provide impact off the bench against the New Zealanders after dropping out of the starting side.

This Trans-Tasman blockbuster at North Harbour Stadium will kick-off at 12:05 pm AEST / 2:05 pm NZT. Fans can watch the Pacific Four Series clash live and free on RugbyPass TV.

Wallaroos team to take on Black Ferns

Brianna Hoy
Tania Naden
Eva Karpani
Michaela Leonard (c)
Atasi Lafai
Siokapesi Palu
7. Leilani Nathan
Piper Duck
Samantha Wood
Arabella McKenzie
Desiree Miller
Cecila Smith
Georgina Friedrichs
Maya Stewart
Caitlyn Halse

Replacements

Hera-Barb Malcolm Heke
Sally Fuesaina
Bridie O’Gorman
Kaitlyn Leaney
Tabua Tuinakauvadra
Layne Morgan
Trilleen Pomare
Faitala Moleka

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Comments on RugbyPass

Cantab 3 days ago

Teenager Braxton Sorensen-McGee reflects on dream Black Ferns debut

Although NZ won comfortably enough they weren’t always convincing and a better opposition may well have found them out. If our gun 7s players can translate their skills to the 15s game the team would have the ability to beat anyone. Need to be given the chance though.

4 Go to comments

James 3 days ago

'Whisper it, but the Wallabies could out-scrum the British and Irish Lions this summer'

And how do you see the Wallabies loosehead / Lion’s tighthead battle Nick?

37 Go to comments

dw 3 days ago

'Whisper it, but the Wallabies could out-scrum the British and Irish Lions this summer'

Also interested in your thoughts on A Bell. Haven't noticed many scrum issues recently. He also seems to play 60 or so mins every game. A bit of a fan (even though he’s a tah..) but wondered if the Lions would target his scrummaging

37 Go to comments

dw 3 days ago

'Whisper it, but the Wallabies could out-scrum the British and Irish Lions this summer'

True. And you look at how the European coaches have got so much out of skelton and how much the local fans love him…and then some Oz fans will still say “he played poorly for the tahs I'm 2015!”

37 Go to comments

dw 3 days ago

'Whisper it, but the Wallabies could out-scrum the British and Irish Lions this summer'

Thanks Nick but your headline has just jinxed us and reminded me of that night in 2013!

I love any analysis of the scrums such as the above. Cheers.

Allalatoa seems to be in good form and Nongorr appears to be able to hold his own? I think they will pick Tupou regardless of form. After Friday night I am concerned he could be sent off in the first five mins of the test though! He got too pumped up and hit a player high and was carded

37 Go to comments

RedWarriors 3 days ago

'Most complacent selection decision you will ever see': Barrett benching slammed as Leinster knocked out

I watched the mainstream NZ pundits eg Mils Muliaina and they DID back NZ to win almost to a man.

Ireland will talk their team up as anyone would with the caveats we are playing the ABs and match was de facto 50:50, That is not the same as dismissing the opposition. EG After the quarter John Kirwan said he was sorry France didn’t win versus SA becuase a ‘France-NZ final would be perfect. (The semis had not even been played yet, England and Argentina completely dismissed! He didn’t even realize his own arrogance) NZ are not even aware of the arrogance they exude. Has no Kiwi politely asked the national team to take down the ‘Superstars and Humble Heroes’ boasting on the AB site? Its cringeworthy stuff. Do NZ really see themselves like this?

Note all this BS about Irish arrogance started just after NZs defeat in the 2022 series. Not a coincidence.

Also: this is Irish national TV. We will talk our team up as everyone does. We care too much about judgemental and thin skinned Kiwis getting offended.

91 Go to comments

JM 3 days ago

'Whisper it, but the Wallabies could out-scrum the British and Irish Lions this summer'

Aussie rugby fans are obsessed with players they hate, for whatever reason.

Michael Hooper is another one, and the hatred only increased whenever he won John Eales medals or the two times he was nominated world player of the year.

I reckon it is because our forwards are technically and mentally weak they put it all on one player who they think should make way for the messiah.

Same for the general team performance and the hate put on players like White, Lolesio, and Foley who should be pulling rabbits out of the hat every play.

I reckon, if we had of had 5 players with Hooper’s desire and drive spread across the team (and especiallythe forwards), we wouldn’t have woken up in the bottom of the ditch.

37 Go to comments

RedWarriors 3 days ago

'What he’s given to this club is nothing short of incredible'

He shouldn’t have been picked. Not physically able for the most intense matches notably in Twickenham last year. Giving him the captaincy was also a very short sighted decision then after RWC 2023. Ireland have a tendency to be a little too loyal, which can mean the team ages and the rebuild is bigger than should be.

Plenty of lads out there to fill that squad.

4 Go to comments

OJohn 3 days ago

Geoff Parling returns to Leicester as head coach

Hooray

0 Go to comments

Carlos 3 days ago

'Whisper it, but the Wallabies could out-scrum the British and Irish Lions this summer'

He was also a YC magnet.

37 Go to comments

Carlos 3 days ago

'Whisper it, but the Wallabies could out-scrum the British and Irish Lions this summer'

Windsor-Faulkner-Price. 😊

37 Go to comments

Solenn Bonnet 3 days ago

Leinster cleanse palette with record URC scoreline against Zebre

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0 Go to comments

Mzilikazi 3 days ago

'Whisper it, but the Wallabies could out-scrum the British and Irish Lions this summer'

Ah, the Pooler front row ! Most legendary in the history of the , I would think. Max Boyce helped…”Here we. here we, here we go, with the Pontypool front row.”

37 Go to comments

Mzilikazi 3 days ago

'Whisper it, but the Wallabies could out-scrum the British and Irish Lions this summer'

Would not go as far as whole house in our family, but for me, yes, W1. Loved playing in the scrum, love watching now😀

37 Go to comments

Mzilikazi 3 days ago

'Whisper it, but the Wallabies could out-scrum the British and Irish Lions this summer'

Yes, I see that article here on RP, Nick. That is good news that Schmidt is going to look at the o’seas players.

Yes, I would think you are right that LAR will qualify. On the same points as MP, but surely they are too good not to win this crunch game….could be tEnse for ROG in the stands though.

37 Go to comments

BC 3 days ago

Who would make it into a Women's British and Irish Lions starting XV?

I would pick Oifa Wafer at 6, put Aldcroft in the second row with Ward. I think Wafer is one of the few non-England players mentioned that would contend for a Red Rose shirt, the others being King and possibly Neve Jones. Conversely there are two English players mentioned, Sing and Venner, that probably won’t even make the Red Rose WC squad, let alone a Lions Tour. Still a lot can change in two years, watch out for Millie David.

1 Go to comments

Otagoman II 3 days ago

'Whisper it, but the Wallabies could out-scrum the British and Irish Lions this summer'

Great article NB, thanks. I would like to know what is the reasoning why so many things are penalties in the scrum. Is it to do with safety or something else?

37 Go to comments

NB 3 days ago

'Whisper it, but the Wallabies could out-scrum the British and Irish Lions this summer'

👍