New Zealand v Australia - O' Reilly Cup Game 1 2024

[Burgs]

'They’re going to be wounded': Wallaroos eyeing maiden Black Ferns scalp

Tue, May 21, 2024, 3:45 PM
Nathan Williamson

Wallaroos winger Maya Stewart believes the Black Ferns' loss to Canada proves they are there for the taking as they hunt for their maiden win.

The Canadians wrapped up the Pacific Four series with a 22-19 win over the World Cup champions in Christchurch.

“It shows that every game is a Test match and it’s not just a one-sided game. We’re definitely competitive and the Canada game showed that last week," Stewart said on the Kiwis defeat last week.

“They’re going to be wounded, they’re going to be hurt and I think it’d be great for us to climb on the back of that…They’ve blooded some new players and that’s why they’re having a few discipline issues and I think we can capitalise on that. The new girls coming through are electric and exciting but there are points there to push.”

The Wallaroos are yet to record a win in 2024 as they deal with the 'teething' issues under new coach Jo Yapp.

However, Stewart remains confident their best is just around the corner.

“I think there’s just teething issues. Jo’s (Yapp) come on board and it’s so refreshing to have a new coach and we’re still learning under her," she explained.

“I think the Canada game was exciting for us. We were in that and the same as the USA game. I think that’s what exciting about this week is that it’s a new game, a new chapter and we’re able to come out and maybe put all that together for a full 80 which we haven’t done in the past years.

“(The USA loss) was definitely disappointing for us as a group but I think everyone’s really keen to turn things around

“Canada showed last week that New Zealand could be beaten so we’re definitely up for the challenge.

“…I think the first half showcased what we’re about as a team. We have great impact players coming off the bench so if we can utilise them more and play similar to what we were in the first half, I think we’ll run away with it."

On top of a maiden win over the Kiwis is qualification for WXV1, needing a victory to deny the USA a place in the top division.

Regardless of what happens, the Australians are looking to take incremental steps on the road to the 2025 Rugby World Cup.

“It’s massive. We want to be in WXV1, that’s exactly where we want to be," Stewart said.

“We’re a team that can compete in WXV1 and if we don’t win we’re in WXV2 and we’ll compete there as well. Regardless of the outcome of the weekend, we’re going to come away and be competitive but WXV1 is where we want to be, that’s everything so this game is massive.”

“We’re not in a sprint, we’re running at our own pace and understanding that," back-rower Siokapesi Palu added.

“We’ve got to be on par with where we’re at so if part of our team is just a little bit behind, we need to make sure we stay with them and build that cohesion working together.

“It’s a long year and we’re three Test matches in so hopefully this is a game where we’ll start to see a shift in intensity facing the Kiwis.”

[Burgs]

Wallaroos shuffle side for final Pacific Four game against New Zealand

Thu, May 23, 2024, 6:58 AM
Nathan Williamson

Wallaroos coach Jo Yapp is looking for greater impact from her side as she confirms a refreshed team to face New Zealand.

Rebels captain Ash Marsters has been ruled out after picking up an ankle injury against the USA in Melbourne.

She will be replaced by Waratahs enforcer Leilani Nathan, who is in for her maiden international start.

Nathan will look to add major power to their pack alongside second-rower Atasi Lafai.

Lafai was named Player of the Final in NSW's win over the Fijian Drua last month.

Cecilia Smith is the lone change to the backline, replacing Trilleen Pomare as the Force skipper goes to the bench.

The Reds skipper partners Georgina Friedrichs in the centres.

17-year-old Caitlyn Halse retains her starting spot at fullback, with Brumbies flanker Tabua Tuinakauvadra added to the bench.

"While the first two results have not been what we were after, the team has come together well and have shown some good learnings and progressions,” Yapp said.

“We’ve had a really good week of training in Auckland and I am excited to see how the team performs against the Black Ferns.

“Ash Marsters is unfortunately unavailable through injury.”

The Wallaroos will be searching for their first win over the Kiwis, which would secure their spot in WXV 1 in Canada.

Starts: 9:30am 25 May 2024

Wallaroos

1. Brianna Hoy (NSW Waratahs) – 5 caps
2. Tania Naden (ACT Brumbies) – 12 caps
3. Eva Karpani (NSW Waratahs) – 23 caps
4. Michaela Leonard (c) (Western Force) – 24 caps
5. Atasi Lafai (NSW Waratahs) – 11 caps
6. Siokapesi Palu (ACT Brumbies) – 8 caps
7. Leilani Nathan (NSW Waratahs) – 4 caps
8. Piper Duck (NSW Waratahs) – 12 caps
9. Samantha Wood (Western Force) – 2 caps
10. Arabella McKenzie (NSW Waratahs) – 23 caps
11. Desiree Miller (NSW Waratahs) – 4 caps
12. Cecilia Smith (Queensland Reds) - 12 caps
13. Georgina Friedrichs (NSW Waratahs) – 21 caps
14. Maya Stewart (NSW Waratahs) – 10 caps
15. Caitlyn Halse (NSW Waratahs) – 1 cap

16. Hera-Barb Malcolm Heke (Western Force) – 2 caps
17. Sally Fuesaina (ACT Brumbies) – 2 caps
18. Bridie O'Gorman (NSW Waratahs) – 19 caps
19. Kaitlan Leaney (NSW Waratahs) – 17 caps
20. Tabua Tuinakauvadra (ACT Brumbies) - 5 caps
21. Layne Morgan (NSW Waratahs) – 21 caps
22. Trilleen Pomare (Western Force) – 26 caps
23. Faitala Moleka (ACT Brumbies) – 8 caps

[Burgs]

Huge kudos to Wood being selected in the biggest match of the year and continuing on her amazing trajectory in Australian Rugby.
A little tough on Pomare as she hasn't put a foot wrong, in my top couple of players each match, though Smith will bring a more physical presence.
Malcolm Heke continues on to a third Cap, which is more than many of the Wallaroo Alumni, and looks to be cementing her place in the 23.
Elsewhere, I don't think we lose a huge amount with the injury of Marsters and replacement by Nathan. While Marsters is more mobile and covers the Ruck beautifully, Nathan will be a bigger presence in D and crashing it up.
Hoy-Naden-Karpani is our form FR and must at least gain parity in the Scrums, to lay a platform to get the ball wide.
Our Outside Backs are world class, but were starved of possession last match.
It will still take a huge effort, but the Canucks have shown the Kiwis are beatable.
It is always an extra challenge to take on a Kiwi side of any level following a loss, they "sting" post defeat more than most for some reason, but if the Wallaroos can get some doubt in their mind very early, then who knows.
Head says NZ by +20, heart says Aus by 0.5...

[Burgs]

c/o The Roar-

The Black Ferns named their 23 with the inclusion of experienced campaigners Alana Bremner and Renee Holmes.

Tighthead prop Amy Rule gets her her first start of the series and combining with Chryss Viliko and Georgia Ponsonby in the front row.

Lock Maiakawanakaulani Roos will combine with the experienced Bremner, who is in line to play her 20th Test in the Black Ferns jersey, her first start at lock.

Liana Mikaele-Tu’u will shift back to the blindside making way for Kaipo Olsen-Baker to start at No.8, with loose forward Layla Sae set to make an impact off the bench this weekend.

In the backline, Hurricanes halves combination of Iritana Hohaia and Hannah King earn their first Test starts of the season. The midfield combination of Sylvia Brunt and Amy du Plessis survives alongside left winger Katelyn Vahaakolo. Mererangi Paul will shift to the right wing, with Renee Holmes named to start at fullback.

Marcelle Parkes makes her Black Ferns return for the first time since 2019, as loosehead prop. Halfback Maia Joseph and Black Ferns co-captain Ruahei Demant will add to a powerful forward pack will take the field with tighthead prop Amy Rule earning her first start of the series and combining with Chryss Viliko and Georgia Ponsonby in the front row. In-form lock Maiakawanakaulani Roos will combine with the experienced Alana Bremner, who is in line to play her 20th Test in the Black Ferns jersey, her first start at lock. Liana Mikaele-Tu’u will shift back to the blindside making way for Kaipo Olsen-Baker to start at number eight, with loose forward Layla Sae set to make an impact off the bench this weekend.

In the backline, Hurricanes Poua halves combination of Iritana Hohaia and Hannah King earn their first Test starts of the season. The relentless midfield combination of Sylvia Brunt and Amy du Plessis remain, alongside left winger Katelyn Vahaakolo. Mererangi Paul will shift to the right wing, with Renee Holmes named to start at fullback.

Marcelle Parkes makes her Black Ferns return for the first time since 2019, as loosehead prop. Halfback Maia Joseph and Black Ferns co-captain Ruahei Demant will start on the bench with new midfielder Grace Steinmetz.

Black Ferns
(Test caps in brackets)

1. Chryss Viliko (4)
2. Georgia Ponsonby (22)
3. Amy Rule (21)
4. Maiakawanakaulani Roos (23)
5. Alana Bremner (19)
6. Liana Mikaele-Tu’u (20)
7. Kennedy Simon (co-captain) (22)
8. Kaipo Olsen-Baker (4)
9. Iritana Hohaia (8)
10. Hannah King (1)
11. Katelyn Vahaakolo (8)
12. Logo-i-Pulotu Lemapu-Atai’i (Sylvia) Brunt (15)
13. Amy du Plessis (16)
14. Mererangi Paul (7)
15. Renee Holmes (16)

16. Luka Connor (22)
17. Marcelle Parkes (5)
18. Aldora Itunu (25)
19. Charmaine Smith (31)
20. Layla Sae (5)
21. Maia Joseph (2)
22. Ruahei Demant (co-captain) (35)
23. Grace Steinmetz (2)

[Burgs]

‘Overall positive’: Wallaroos captain reflects on heavy loss to Black Ferns

By Finn Morton
Monday

https://www.rugbypass.com/news/walla...o-black-ferns/

Australia may have started the year with three defeats from as many starts but captain Michaela Leonard insists the “messaging needs to be relatively positive” before Tests on home soil against Fiji and traditional rivals New Zealand.

Following defeats to Canada in Sydney and the USA at Melbourne’s AAMI Park in World Rugby’s Pacific Four Series, the Wallaroos made their way across ‘the ditch’ for a Laurie O’Reilly Cup clash against a hurting Black Ferns outfit.

New Zealand were coming off their first-ever loss to Canada but they made sure to make amends of sorts with a bounce-back performance at North Harbour Stadium on Saturday afternoon. They ran in 11 tries in a 67-19 win over the Wallaroos.

Moments after the Kiwis were once again presented with the Laurie O’Reilly Cup, fans made their way onto the field for a chance to meet their rugby heroes. Both teams signed autographs, took photos and some players looked to have given away their socks.

But amongst all the excitement from the rugby public at the North Shore venue, a dejected Michaela Leonard walked around. The skipper had spoken earlier in the week about the journey this team was on, and that was the message once again despite the one-sided scoreline.

“Definitely disappointed. It’s not the result that we wanted and I think the score line probably didn’t reflect what it felt like out there on the field,” Leonard told RugbyPass and another reporter.

“Looking at that game and reflecting, we came in with some clear points of securing our breakdown and exiting on our terms. I think if you watch back, probably we didn’t execute that how we wanted to and it’s probably what let us down in the end.

“In saying that though, we knew this wasn’t going to be a sprint and we knew that it’s going to be a long-term build over the next two years to be where we want to be at the World Cup.

“Still definitely proud of the girls. We showed how much talent there is across this 23 and across the 30 across this campaign and how much potential we have when we do execute right and get our systems running.

“Definitely proud. I think there are lots of positives on the back of that and a lot that we can work on.

“Head up now. We’ve still got a long season and a long year to go and I’m definitely looking forward to the next opportunity on home soil later in the year.”


Kaipo Olsen-Baker helped get the Black Ferns off to an idyllic start while the sun was shining, with the backrower barging over for the opener from a scrum inside the first five minutes.

Wallaroos flyhalf Arabella McKenzie hit back soon after by slicing through the Black Ferns’ defensive line to almost silence the Auckland crowd.

But it was all the Black Ferns from there.

New Zealand scored another six tries as they took a commanding 45-7 lead into the half-time sheds. But the Australians rallied after the interval.

The Aussies came out for the second term with the match almost certainly already lost but they were a lot better, and the Test was closer as a result. New Zealand only scored 10 points more than their rivals in those 40 minutes.

“That one comes back down to mentality and a little bit of ticker and a little bit of pride,” Leonard explained.

“We knew that we had to come out and we had to change what we were doing, and we had to bring some physicality and front up stronger than what we had in the first half. I think the girls showed that.

“Our tackle completion was much better in the second half, our discipline didn’t let us down as much and we actually managed to string a few more phases together when we had ball in hand.

“Awesome mentality shift from the girls coming back out there in the second half and I think the big focus for us moving forward will be getting it right from the kick-off and maintaining that for 80 minutes.”

Captain Michaela Leonard played Test number 25 on Saturday.

The Wallaroos are on a journey under new coach Jo Yapp, and as this writer expressed after the Test, patience is needed from Australian rugby supporters. This group has a bit of a fresh look about it and that includes the new head coach.

That takes time.

Australia will regroup ahead of a blockbuster clash with Fiji Women at Sydney’s Allianz Stadium on July 6 and then the reverse Laurie O’Reilly Cup fixture at Brisbane’s Ballymore Stadium on July 14.

“We reflect and we’re honest with ourselves following this campaign, but overall, I think the messaging needs to be relatively positive.

“We know this is a new group, both on the field with the players, as well as the coaching staff. But as a group, we have full faith in the players that we have and we have full faith in the coaching staff and what they’re trying to execute.

“So, overall positive… just making sure we stay connected, stay as a group, stay on the same page and keep working hard because what we do in the next three or four weeks is what’s going to help us later on in the year.”

[Burgs]

WXV 2 2024

Australia
Italy
Japan
Scotland
South Africa
European play-in winner (Wales v Spain 29th June)