Pacific Four Series
The second match takes us to the southern hemisphere, where it will stay till the final round on 23 May.
Jo Yapp and Allan Bunting have announced their squads (see below).
Wallaroos
With the successful Fiji test behind her, Jo Yapp’s first job was to peruse the injury list. Unfortunately it amounts to nine players. Initial plans were upset by injuries to Maya Stewart and Bienne Terita, incurred during the Suva match. It was already confirmed that Atasi Lafai, Brianna Hoy, Georgia Fredrichs, Leilani Nathan, Piper Duck and Samantha Wood were counted out.
Medical analysts will be concerned that no fewer than four of them are suffering knee injuries. Of the two 7s stars only Charlotte Caslick remains. She will make her first start on the right wing.
Despite these setbacks Yapp includes no uncapped players, while Bridie O’Gorman, Georgina Friedrichs and Kaitlan Leaney are happily restored to health.
Siokapesi Palu retains the captaincy, having scored one of the Wallaroos’ seven tries in Fiji.
The emphasis is on building towards the World Cup, rather than expecting a first-ever win over the Ferns in a Laurie O’Reilly Cup match – even though it’s on home soil. Without a single victory in fifteen attempts and with two of her front row owning one cap each, we can understand why.
Black Ferns
Allan Bunting includes only one debutant in the 23. No question of giving plenty of less experienced players a run-out. The 18-year-old Braxton Sorensen-McGee starts at full-back, having impressed in the Super Aupiki with the trophy-winning Blues. She has been hitting the sporting headlines since she became the NZ Rugby League U16 player of the year in 2022. (That word ‘league’ will hold a heap of meaning for Ferns’ fans. Rugby League presents the biggest threat to the Ferns’ well-being. They will be delighted to see BSM transfer her ambitions to the Union version).
Her inclusion has meant the dropping of Renee Holmes, quite a shock, as she had become a bit of a fixture in the 15 shirt. One reason for her retention had been her ability with the boot.
We will see soon enough what role if any the kick will play iin Bunting’s developing game-plan.
Overall we must hope for any sign of a shift in strength among the four nations. The Black Ferns and the Maple Leafs lie well ahead of the Eagles and the Wallaroos, both in this tournament and on the world stage. The key match remains NZ-Canada. An upset would be very welcome. Where have we met that hope before?
Teams
Australia
1. Martha Fua, 2. Katalina Amosa, 3. Eva Karpani, 4. Kaitlan Leaney, 5. Michaela Leonard, 6. Siokapesi Palu (captain), 7. Emily Chancellor, 8. Tabua Tuinakauvadra, 9. Layne Morgan, 10. Tia Hinds, 11. Desiree Miller, 12. Cecilia Smith, 13. Georgina Friedrichs, 14. Charlotte Caslick, 15. Faitala Moleka
16. Tania Naden, 17. Lydia Kavoa, 18. Bridie O’Gorman, 19. Tiarah Minns, 20. Ashley Marsters, 21. Natalie Wright, 22. Trilleen Pomare, 23. Lori Cramer
New Zealand
1. Chryss Viliko, 2. Georgia Ponsonby, 3. Tanya Kalounivale, 4. Alana Bremner, 5. Maia Roos, 6. Layla Sae, 7. Kennedy Tukuafu (co-captain), 8. Kaipo Olsen-Baker 9. Maia Joseph, 10. Ruahei Demant (co-captain) 11. Katelyn Vahaakolo, 12. Logo-I-Pulotu Lemapu-Atai’i (Sylvia) Brunt, 13. Amy du Plessis, 14. Ayesha Leti-I’iga, 15. *Braxton Sorensen-McGee
16. Atlanta Lolohea, 17. Awhina Tangen-Wainohu, 18. Amy Rule, 19. Maama Mo’onia Vaipulu,
20. Dhys Faleafaga, 21. Iritana Hohaia, 22. Hannah King, 23. Mererangi Paul
*uncapped
Match details
Date: Saturday 10 May
Time: 13.00 (AEST); 06.00 (BST)
Venue: McDonald Jones Stadium, Newcastle
Coverage: rugbypass.tv (except in the two nations involved)
