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Wallaroos ready to ‘stamp our mark’ against champion Black Ferns

(Photo by Phil Walter/Getty Images)

Lock Michaela Leonard will captain the Wallaroos for the first time later this week when Australia host Rugby World Cup champions New Zealand in Redcliffe.

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Head coach Jay Tregonning has confirmed the matchday 23 to take on the reigning world champions in the Wallaroos’ opening match of both the Pacific Four Series and the O’Reilly Cup.

With captain Piper Duck still out – with the Waratahs backrower sustaining an injury blow during Super W – Leonard has been given the captaincy for the first time in a Test match.

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The Western Force lock will lead the team out onto Kayo Stadium in Queensland on Thursday evening, and Waratahs centre Georgina Friedrichs will take up the role of vice-captain.

“The energy has been really positive during our first week of camp,” Leonard said.

“The girls are eager for the opportunity to start our Pacific Four campaign off against the Rugby World Cup champions, the Black Ferns.

“Playing on home soil is always special, and gives us a chance to stamp our mark on the tournament before we head off to Canada.”

Three different Super W clubs will be represented in the Wallaroos’ starting front row, with Reds prop Bree-Anna Cheatham set to pack down alongside Brumbies hooker Tania Naden and Waratahs tighthead Eva Karpani.

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Captain Leonard will run out in the No. 4 jersey, and will be joined by Queensland Reds lock Annabelle Codey in the second row.

Kaitlan Leaney has been named for her first Test match of the year after a successful stint with Harlequins in England. Leaney replaces the retired Shannon Parry in the Wallaroos’ backrow.

Leaney joins the experienced duo of Ashley Marsters and Grace Hamilton in a formidable backrow trio.

Waratahs halfback Layne Morgan will start in the halves alongside New Zealand-born playmaker Carys Dallinger, who has retained her spot in the No. 10 jersey.

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Reds duo Ivania Wong and Cecilia Smith will take their place in the backs alongside Waratahs pair Georgina Friedrichs and electric winger Maya Stewart. Fullback Faitala Moleka will add to her one-Test cap on Thursday.

The Wallaroos have also named a strong bench, including Emily Chancellor and Arabella McKenzie – with both players also returning from overseas duty with Harlequins.

“We’re looking forward to going up against the world champions,” coach Jay Tregonning said in a statement.

“I’ve been impressed by Kaitlan Leaney, Emily Chancellor and Arabella McKenzie, who have developed their skills during their time with the Harlequins in England.

“The squad has continued to grow and learn in the wake of our win in Sydney earlier this year – now it’s time to test that knowledge.”

The match between the Wallaroos and Black Ferns will get underway at 7.00 pm AEST on Thursday at Kayo Stadium in Moreton Bay, Queensland.

Wallaroos team to take on Black Ferns

  1. Bree-Anna Cheatham
  2. Tania Naden
  3. Eva Karpani
  4. Michaela Leonard (c)
  5. Annabelle Codey
  6. Kaitlan Leaney
  7. Ashley Marsters
  8. Grace Hamilton
  9. Layne Morgan
  10. Carys Dallinger
  11. Ivania Wong
  12. Cecilia Smith
  13. Georgina Friedrichs
  14. Maya Stewart
  15. Faitala Moleka

Replacements:

  1. Madison Schuck
  2. Emily Robinson
  3. Bridie O’Gorman
  4. Sera Naiqama
  5. Emily Chancellor
  6. Jasmin Huriwai
  7. Arabella McKenzie
  8. Alana Elisaia
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O
Oh no, not him again? 2 hours ago
England internationals disagree on final play execution vs All Blacks

Okay, so we blew it big time on Saturday. So rather than repeating what most people have all ready said, what do I want to see from Borthwick going forward?


Let's keep Marcus Smith on the pitch if he's fit and playing well. I was really pleased with his goal kicking. It used to be his weakness. I feel sympathy for George Ford who hadn't kicked all match and then had a kick to win the game. You hear pundits and commentators commend kickers who have come off the bench and pulled that off. Its not easy. If Steve B continues to substitute players with no clear reason then he is going to get criticised.


On paper I thought England would beat NZ if they played to their potential and didn't show NZ too much respect. Okay, the off the ball tackles certainly stopped England scoring tries, but I would have liked to see more smashing over gainlines and less kicking for position. Yes, I also know it's the Springbok endorsed world cup double winning formula but the Kiwi defence isn't the Bok defence, is it. If you have the power to put Smith on the front foot then why muzzle him? I guess what I'm saying is back, yourself. Why give the momentum to a team like NZ? Why feed the beast? Don't give the ball to NZ. Well d'uh.


Our scrum is a long term weakness. If you are going to play Itoje then he needs an ogre next door and a decent front row. Where is our third world class lock? Where are are realible front row bench replacements? The England scrum has been flakey for a while now. It blows hot and cold. Our front five bench is not world class.


On the positive side I love our starting backrow right now. I'd like to see them stick together through to the next world cup.


Anyway, there is always another Saturday.

7 Go to comments
C
CO 2 hours ago
Scott Robertson responds to criticism over All Blacks' handling errors

Robertson is more a manager of coaches than a coach so it comes down to intent of outcomes at a high level. I like his intent, I like the fact his Allblacks are really driving the outcomes however as he's pointed out the high error rates are not test level and their control of the game is driving both wins and losses. England didn't have to play a lot of rugby, they made far fewer mistakes and were extremely unlucky not to win.


In fact the English team were very early in their season and should've been comfortably beaten by an Allblacks team that had played multiple tests together.


Razor has himself recognised that to be the best they'll have to sort out the crisis levels of mistakes that have really increased since the first two tests against England.


Early tackles were a classic example of hyper enthusiasm to not give an inch, that passion that Razor has achieved is going to be formidable once the unforced errors are eliminated.


That's his secret, he's already rebuilt the passion and that's the most important aspect, its inevitable that he'll now eradicate the unforced errors. When that happens a fellow tier one nation is going to get thrashed. I don't think it will be until 2025 though.


The Allblacks will lose both tests against Ireland and France if they play high error rates rugby like they did against England.


To get the unforced errors under control he's going to be needing to handover the number eight role to Sititi and reset expectations of what loose forwards do. Establish a clear distinction with a large, swarthy lineout jumper at six that is a feared runner and dominant tackler and a turnover specialist at seven that is abrasive in contact. He'll then need to build depth behind the three starters and ruthlessly select for that group to be peaking in 2027 in hit Australian conditions on firm, dry grounds.


It's going to help him that Savea is shifting to the worst super rugby franchise where he's going to struggle behind a beaten pack every week.


The under performing loose forward trio is the key driver of the high error rates and unacceptable turn overs due to awol link work. Sititi is looking like he's superman compared to his openside and eight.


At this late stage in the season they shouldn't be operating with just the one outstanding loose forward out of four selected for the English test. That's an abject failure but I think Robertson's sacrificing link quality on purpose to build passion amongst the junior Allblacks as they see the reverential treatment the old warhorses are receiving for their long term hard graft.


It's unfortunately losing test matches and making what should be comfortable wins into nail biters but it's early in the world cup cycle so perhaps it's a sacrifice worth making.


However if this was F1 then Sam Cane would be Riccardo and Ardie would be heading into Perez territory so the loose forwards desperately need revitalisation through a rebuild over the next season to complement the formidable tight five.

28 Go to comments
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