2024 Wales v Wallaroos

[Burgs]

Pomare returns for Wallaroos, Leonard to skipper vs Wales

Wed, Sep 18, 2024, 2:00 PM
Ben Somerford

https://westernforce.rugby/news/wall...eonard-2024918

Trilleen Pomare will return to the Wallaroos starting XV with Michaela Leonard resuming the captaincy for Saturday’s women’s international against Wales in Newport.

Lucy Dinnen and Alapeta Ngauamo, who both debuted last Saturday against Ireland, have also been named as reserves.

Saturday’s game against Wales at Rodney Parade in Newport starts at 2am WST live on Stan Sport.

The Wallaroos are using the games against Wales and Ireland as preparation ahead of the WXV 2 which starts in late September in Cape Town.

Australia will take on Wales, South Africa and Scotland at the WXV 2, with Japan and Italy also in the section.

Wales v Australia

Women's International

Saturday 21 September, 2am AWST

Live on Stan Sport

Wallaroos line-up

1. Bridie O'Gorman (#180 - Sydney University) – 23 caps

2. Tania Naden (#197 - Uni-North Owls) - 15 caps

3. Eva Karpani (#171 - Onkaparinga) – 27 caps

4. Kaitlan Leaney (#179 - CSU Marlins) – 21 caps

5. Michaela Leonard (c) (#168 - Tuggeranong Vikings) – 28 caps

6. Siokapesi Palu (#194 - Rockdale Rangers) – 12 caps

7. Ashley Marsters (#117 - Booroondarra) – 30 caps

8. Tabua Tuinakauvadra (#200 - Tuggeranong Vikings) – 7 caps

9. Layne Morgan (#188 - Merewether Carlton) – 25 caps

10. Faitala Moleka (#199 - Blacktown Scorpions) – 12 caps

11. Desiree Miller (#204 - Eastern Suburbs) – 8 caps

12. Trilleen Pomare (#155 - Wanneroo) – 29 caps

13. Georgina Friedrichs (#178 - Wests Bulldogs) – 25 caps

14. Maya Stewart (#196 - Nelson Bay Gropers) – 12 caps

15. Caitlyn Halse (#210 – Southern Districts) – 2 caps


16. Tiarna Molloy (#191 - Inverell Highlanders) – 4 caps

17. Alapeta Ngauamo (#215 - Wests Bulldogs) - 1 cap

18. Lydia Kavoa (#214 - Eastern Suburbs) - 2 caps

19. Atasi Lafai (#161 - Campbelltown Harlequins) – 14 caps

20. Lucy Dinnen (#216 - Wanneroo) – 1 cap

21. Natalie Wright (#213 - Wests Bulldogs) – 3 caps

22. Arabella McKenzie (#175 - Lightning Ridge Tigers) – 27 caps

23. Lori Cramer (#172 - University of Queensland) – 24 caps

[Burgs]

Halse returns to starting side as Wallaroos lock in side to face Wales in pre WXV Test

Wed, Sep 18, 2024, 1:58 PM
Nathan Williamson

Wallaroos coach Jo Yapp has recalled fullback Caitlyn Halse to the starting side for Saturday's (AEST) Test with Wales in Newport.

Halse's call-up comes on her 18th birthday after the Waratah became the youngest Australian to play Test Rugby earlier in the year.

Catch the Wallaroos take on Wales live, ad-free and on demand on Stan Sport

Yapp has made four changes to the 23 that went down to Ireland in Belfast, with Halse's inclusion pushing Lori Cramer to the bench.

Trilleen Pomare returns to the side in the centres, partnering with Georgina Friedrichs, whilst Layne Morgan swaps with Natalie Wright to start at scrumhalf.

Hooker Tania Naden has overcome a finger injury to take her place in the front-row after missing last week's defeat.

Her return sees Ashley Marsters shift to the back row to partner Siokapesi Palu and Tabua Tuinakauvadra.

Palu relinquishes the captaincy back to Michaela Leonard, with Atasi Lafai added to the bench.

“We were really disappointed with last week’s performance against Ireland and have an opportunity against Wales to improve in key areas of our game," Yapp said in a statement.

“We will play Wales again in Round 1 of WXV 2 so the opportunity to play them a week earlier can give us a good gauge in where both teams are at leading into the tournament.

“Tania, Caitlyn, Trilleen and Atasi have all been training well and come back into the side.

“As a team, we know what we’re capable of we just need to transfer that into Friday night in Newport.”

The two teams will face off again in just over a week to kick off the WXV 2 tournament on September 28.

[Burgs]

No longer 'The Kid': Halse receives special 18th birhtday present with Wallaroos call-up

Thu, Sep 19, 2024, 7:41 AM
Nathan Williamson

There are not many 18th birthday presents that can match a Test call-up as fullback Caitlyn Halse looks to make the most of her opportunity.

The fullback was named in the Wallaroos side to face Wales on her birthday for her first appearance since the Pacific Four series.

Catch the Wallaroos take on Wales live, ad-free and on demand on Stan Sport

"She's been working really hard and with it her 18th birthday, it's really exciting," coach Jo Yapp said on Halse.

"She's done exceptionally well and it's easy to forget how old she is the fact she's only turning 18 today but I think that's what's so impressive with her is the way she's managing the whole thing.

"The girls rally around her. You can see that they're really supportive of her but she's also just really developed with her maturity around off the field with her travelling."

Halse has been taking in the lessons of Northern Hemisphere football as she improves her kicking game and mental clarity around moving on from past mistakes

Waratahs teammates Arabella McKenzie and Maya Stewart have taken Halse under their wing as the teenager looks to pick their brains about how to handle Test Rugby.

"I've just been leaning on them for help when I need it, they're really looking after me like an auntie or a cousin," Halse said.

"They've been really supportive and whilst they don't play my position, they're always looking out for me and someone I can go to if I need anything."

The pair affectionately refer to Halse as 'The Kid' given her age, with Halse up in the air on whether that nickname will stick now she's an adult.

"I'll start to get a new nickname eventually," Halse said and laughed.

Halse will link up with fellow teenager Faitala Moleka as the Brumby comes into the halves.

"'Tala' and I have known each other for a while. We played a couple of junior things with so we've worked some combinations together," she added.

"Tala is an amazing ten. I think she really takes on the line and she's got a good boot on her so hopefully we can work together in that backfield and run a muck."