New Zealand v Australia
Last year everything was new and experimental. Now the WXV is more familiar, and the consequences of failure more dramatic.
In the last game of the Pacific Four Series Australia have to beat New Zealand for the first time in order to avoid an unwanted drop into WXV2.
The odds are against them. Currently they lie 62 points behind the USA Eagles (-26, -88) in fourth place, so a last-minute reprieve is out of the question.
Their response will be to see the game as another stepping-stone towards ultimate success. They have a new staff in place, are still growing used to the new shape put in place for them, and that final target, next year’s World Cup is a long way off.
The Line-ups
The two head coaches, Jo Yapp and Allan Bunting, have announced their teams. They are:
Black Ferns
1 Chryss Viliko 2 Georgia Ponsonby 3 Amy Rule 4 Maiakawanakaulani Roos 5 Alana Bremner 6 Liana Mikaele-Tu’u 7 Kennedy Simon (co-captain 8 Kaipo Olsen-Baker 9 Iritana Hohaia 10 Hannah King 11 Katelyn Vahaakolo 12 Sylvia Brunt 13 Amy du Plessis 14 Mererangi Paul 15 Renee Holmes
16 Luka Connor 17 Amy Rule 18 Aldora Itunu 19 Charmaine Smith 20 Layla Sae 21 Maia Joseph 22 Ruahei Demant (co-captain) 23 Grace Steinmetz
Bunting has taken the opportunity to ring the changes, especially in the pack. Alana Bremner plays second row for the first time, and the back-row is reorganiised to give Kaipo Olsen-Baker a run at No 8.
His view of the game is confirmed by the choice of Hannah King at outside-half, leaving Ruahei Demant to survey events from the bench. Renee Holmes returns at the back. At least the Wallaroos won’t be faced with Ruby Tui on the wing.
Wallaroos
15 Caitlyn Halse 14 Maya Stewart 13 Georgina Friedrichs 12 Cecilia Smith 11 Desiree Miller 10 Bella McKenzie, 9 *Samantha Wood 1 Brianna Hoy 2 Tania Naden 3 Eva Karpani 4 Michaela Leonard (captain) 5 Atasi Lafai 6 Siokapesi Palu 7 *Leilani Nathan 8 Piper Duck
16 Hera-Barb Malcolm Heke 17 Sally Fuesaina 18 Bridie O’Gorman 19 Kaitlan Leaney 20 Tabua Tuinakauvadra 21 Layne Morgan 22 Trilleen Pomare 23 Faitala Moleka
*uncapped
Ash Marsters is ruled out with an ankle injury, so Lailani Nathan gets her chance in the back-row. Cecilia Smith, captain of Queensland Reds, replaces Trilleen Pomare in the centre alongside Georgina Friedrichs. Yapp perseveres with the seventeen-year-old Caitlyn Halse at 15, which is a tribute to the youngster’s debut performance last time.
Yapp’s view must remain long-term, seeing how her players face up to a difficult situation. Courage and temperament are rarely lacking in a Wallaroos’ side.
The game doubles as the second part of the annual two-acter, the Laurie O’Reilly Cup.
Match details
Date: 25 May
Venue: North Harbour Stadium KO: 14.05 (local time)
Referee: Aimee Barrett-Theron (RSA)
