Soon dropped for World Cup opener
Soon dropped for World Cup opener
AAP August 19, 2010, 11:34 am
Celebrated halfback Cheryl Soon has been relegated to the bench for Australia's opening match of the women's rugby World Cup against Wales on Friday.
Wallaroos coach John Manenti took the tough decision to replace 34-year-old veteran Soon with Queenslander Ili Batibasaga, the cousin of former Wallaby Lote Tuqiri and daughter of former Fiji international Isimelo Batisabaga.
Batisabaga, 25, will partner 32-year-old playmaker Tui Ormsby, the most experienced Wallaroo in history, in the halves against Wales at Surrey Sports Park in Guildford, England.
Soon captained Australia to their memorable first Sevens World Cup title triumph last year and is hoping to make it a World Cup winning double in her third 15-a-side campaign.
"Ili has earned first shot at scrumhalf against Wales with Cheryl coming off the bench and we'll assess it from there," said Manenti.
The coach also named two debutantes in his starting team, prop Caroline Vakalahi and flanker Sharon Parry, in the team captained by second rower Chris Ross.
Vakalahi ousts last year's first choice loosehead Danielle Meskell, who will start from the bench, while Parry comes in with versatile backrower Alexandra Hargreaves switching to No.8.
"We have good competition within the group and that's positive," Manenti said as his team attempts to improve on a previous best World Cup result of fifth.
"We're very pleased with our preparation but we don't know much about Wales.
"Traditionally they're a passionate side and we're expecting them to be very physical."
After the Cup opener against Wales, the Wallaroos will take on defending champions New Zealand (August 24) and South Africa (August 28).
Wallaroos team to play Wales: Tricia Brown, Kristy Giteau, Sharni Williams, Cobie-Jane Morgan, Nicole Beck, Tui Ormsby, Ili Batibasaga, Alex Hargeaves, Shannon Perry, Rebecca Trethowan, Kate Porter, Chris Ross (capt), Lindsay Morgan, Silei Poluleuligaga, Caroline Vakaalahi. Res: Danielle Meskell,
Margaret Watson, Rebecca Clough, Debbie Hodgkinson, Cheryl Soon, Cheyenne Campbell, Tobie McGann.
http://au.news.yahoo.com/thewest/spo...ld-cup-opener/
