Pacific 4, Round Two
GIO Stadium, Canberra
This is the match between the also-rans. That’s the harsh verdict, but history confirms it. The beauty of the meeting is to see which squad is making the better progress.
Last year the Eagles won 32-25 in Melbourne, so the Wallaroos have to show that was a momentary setback.
Jo Yapp has made four changes to her squad. The least predictable is the choice of 18-year-old flanker Ruby Anderson, who starts on the bench.
With Caitlyn Halse restored to the 15 shirt after injury, Failtala Moleka switches back to No 10, where she has made a positive impression before. One decision, to remove Tia Hinds from the 23, may have its longer-term significance. Here is another leading 7s player hoping for preferment in the 15s game, but finding herself ‘rested’.
By contrast Sione Fukofuka makes a single change, reintroducing Tess Feury at full-back. The squad has been in Canberra for a week, so has had plenty of time to adjust to new surroundings. The man in charge has little need to, being an Aussie himself and a former assistant coach to the Wallaroos.
The capital hasn’t known a women’s test match for the last seventeen years! Some famous names should help to boost the attendance; Caslick and Maher for starters.
The game takes on even more significance since the two sides are to meet in the RWC in York on 30 August.
Teams:
Australia
1. Bree-Anna Browne 2. Tania Naden 3. Eva Karpani 4. Kaitlan Leaney 5. Michaela Leonard 6. Siokapesi Palu (captain) 7. Ashley Marsters 8. Tabua Tuinakauvadra 9. Layne Morgan 10. Faitala Moleka 11. Desiree Miller 12. Cecilia Smith 13. Georgina Friedrichs 14. Charlotte Caslick 15. Caitlyn Halse
16. Katalina Amosa 17. Faliki Pohiva 18. Bridie O’Gorman 19. Emily Chancellor 20. *Ruby Anderson 21. Natalie Wright 22. Trilleen Pomare 23. Lori Cramer
USA
1 Hope Rogers 2 Kathryn Treder 3 Keia Mae Sagapolu 4 Hallie Taufoou 4 Erica Jarrell 6 Tahlia Brody 7 Kate Zackary (captain) 8 Rachel Johnson 9 Olivia Ortiz 10 Mackenzie Hawkins 11 Bulou Mataitoga 12 Alev Kelter 13 Ilona Maher 14 Emily Henrich 15 Tess Feury
16 Paige Stathopoulos 17 Maya Learned 18 Charli Jacoby 19 Rachel Ehrecke 20 Freda Tafuna 21 Cass Bargell 22 Sariah Ibarra 23 Cheta Emba
Match details
Date: 17 May
Kick-off: 16.55 (ACT); 02.55 (ET); 07.55 (BST)
Venue: GIO Stadium, Canberra
Referee: Aimee Barrett-Theron
Coverage: via rugbypass.tv, except in the nations involved
