Pacific Four – the next round
There are two matches this weekend, one on Friday, the other, Black Ferns v Maple Leafs, two days later. Both home unions are setting great emphasis on attracting crowds; NZR to match the gates now seen regularly in Europe. For the Wallaroos it will be a first visit to Melbourne, and Melbourne is the heart and soul of Rugby League, so the turn-out will be interesting.
In one sense these pre-qualifiers for WXV lack the cut-throat drama the organisers might have hoped for. Three out of four are sure of a place in WXV1, and there is little doubt who the odd ones out will be, the side that finished in WXV2 last year. The sooner I can apologise for predicting the future wrongly, the happier I shall be.
Here’s a look at the two sides selected. Teams are listed below.
USA
We can only hope that this first game will be tight; last year the Wallaroos ran out 45-7 winners.
The good news for the Eagles is the return of captain Kate Zackary and No 10 McKenzie Hawkins from injury. Interestingly, Sione Fukofuka places Zackary at 6, retaining Rachel Johnson at 8. Gabby Cantorna moves back to 12, where she can provide a second tactical boot alongside her other gifts.
It’s a positive sign that Freda Tafuna who made a strong impression last week has to return to the bench, such is the competition for places.
The ongoing worry I have for the Eagles is the lack of experience. However battle-hardened characters like Hope Rogers, Johnson, Cantorna and Zackary are, players around them can show a lack of game awareness that all too often leads to serious error. It’s to the Eagles’ credit that they list seven home-based players, but that brings with it the fear of a missed opportunity or a pass given more in hope than expectation.
That’s where Fukofuka lays his emphasis in his pre-match announcement. ‘Keep possession!’ is task Number One.
Australia
Jo Yapp has become a rare head coach to admit selecting her team according to the opposition’s strength. Her headline news is the choice of Caitlyn Halse to play full-back.
At 17 Halse becomes the youngest Wallaroo or Wallaby ever to wear national colours. Yapp followed her progress closely for the Waratahs and was impressed. But for the Canada game she picked the more experienced Lori Cramer. Now she is prepared to launch the youngster against the Eagles. Halse was the girl with the broken phone, so she didn’t get the glad tidings first time round. She can only hope her mother doesn’t greet her with her homework after the game.
Ash Marsters’ name stands out as the only Melbourne-based player in the squad, so she takes great pride in the occasion.
Teams
Australia
1. Brianna Hoy (NSW Waratahs), 2. Tania Naden (ACT Brumbies), 3. Eva Karpani (NSW Waratahs), 4. Kaitlan Leaney (NSW Waratahs), 5. Michaela Leonard (c) (Western Force), 6. Siokapesi Palu (ACT Brumbies), 7. Ashley Marsters (Melbourne Rebels), 8. Piper Duck (NSW Waratahs), 9. Samantha Wood (Western Force), 10. Arabella McKenzie (NSW Waratahs), 11. Desiree Miller (NSW Waratahs), 12. Trilleen Pomare (Western Force), 13. Georgina Friedrichs (NSW Waratahs), 14. Maya Stewart (NSW Waratahs), 15. *Caitlyn Halse (NSW Waratahs)
16. Hera-Barb Malcolm Heke (Western Force), 17. Sally Fuesaina (ACT Brumbies), 18. Bridie O’Gorman (NSW Waratahs), 19. Atasi Lafai (NSW Waratahs), 20. Leilani Nathan (NSW Waratahs),
21. Layne Morgan (NSW Waratahs), 22. Faitala Moleka (ACT Brumbies), 23. Lori Cramer (Queensland Reds)
*Denotes debut
USA
15 Tess Feury 14 Bulou Mataitoga 12 Gabby Cantorna 13 Atumata Hingano 11 Lotte Clapp 10 McKenzie Hawkins 9 Olivia Ortiz 1 Hope Rogers 2 Kathryn Treder 3 Charli Jacoby 4 Hallie Taufoou 5 Erica Jarrell 6 Kate Zackary (captain) 7 Georgie Perris-Redding 8 Rachel Johnson
16 Paige Stathopoulos 17 Alivia Leatherman 18 Keia Mae Sagapolu 19 Rachel Ehrecke 20 Freda Tafuna 21 Taina Tukuafu 22 Katana Howard 23 Emily Henrich
Match Details
Friday 17 May
AAMI Stadium, Melbourne
KO: 16.55 (Local time), 07.55 (BST)
Referee: Maggie Cogger-Orr (NZR)
