The Wallaroos are looking to make history with a breakthrough win over New Zealand in their first ever Test at Adelaide Oval.
The Australian women are playing a double header with the Wallabies also taking on South Africa at the famous cricket ground on Saturday afternoon.
The Wallaroos haven’t beaten their Kiwi rivals in 21 attempts and suffered a demoralising 52-5 defeat in the first O’Reilly Cup Test in Christchurch last weekend.
But skipper Shannon Parry said they had put that showing behind them and were determined to prove they were making progress ahead of the October Rugby World Cup in New Zealand.
“Last week was very disappointing for us as we had the best training week we’ve had in a long time and to put in a poor performance like that is something that we’ve reviewed hard,” Parry said on Friday.
“It’s about moving on now – we can’t deal with that now, it’s water under the bridge – so we’ve been focusing on us and our strategies and individually being able to nail our role and there’s no doubt you will see an improved performance.”
Coach Jay Tregonning made seven changes to his starting side, handing Test debuts to Brumbies centre Siokapesi Palu and winger Bienne Terita, a member of the World Series-winning Sevens squad.
There’s a new-look front row in Liz Patu, Adiana Talakai and local Adelaide product Eva Karpani while lock Atasi Lafai is starting.
A very informal Team photo of Australia’s Wallaroos at Adelaide Oval on August 26, 2022 in Adelaide, Australia. (Photo by Sarah Reed/Getty Images)
Former skipper Grace Hamilton returns to add some punch at No.8.
Flanker Parry said she was excited to see what the new faces in the backline – Palu and Terita – brought to the side.
“Those two girls have been training really hard and they deserve their opportunity,” she said.
“I think Bienne is going to be outstanding on the wing, slightly bigger frame but a very strong ball-carrier through Sevens program and Siokapesi coming in in the centres as well.
“For us, it’s about tinkering with our team, finding the best squad for the World Cup and I think we’ve got a really strong outfit this weekend to put in a good performance.”
Joe King
Roar Rookie
Could be right there, Muzzo. I hope I didn’t cause any offence.
Atlas
Roar Rookie
Fulltime Wallaroos 14 Black Ferns 22 Huge improvement for the Wallaroos, never gave up, with an 80th minute try.
FatOldHalfback
Roar Rookie
Ends up 22-14 to Black Ferns, one of the best rugby games I've seen this year (and I watch a lot), in the end the Black Ferns set-piece and support play were just too good. Bring on the world cup.
FatOldHalfback
Roar Rookie
at 70 mins Black Ferns lead 22-7 (really dominating set-piece), Em Chancellor with 5 turnovers
FatOldHalfback
Roar Rookie
10-7 to Black Ferns at half time -- what a great game
Atlas
Roar Rookie
At 30 minutes it's Wallaroos 7 - Black Ferns 10, one try each, one yellow card each.
Muzzo
Roar Rookie
Someone that can’t handle the truth?? Typical
Joe King
Roar Rookie
Classic Kiwi backhander. Looks like a compliment, but stings like a punch in the nose. :-)
Atlas
Roar Rookie
Wallaroos: Wallaroos: 1. Liz Patu 2. Adiana Talakai 3. Eva Karpani 4. Atasi Lafai 5. Michaela Leonard 6. Emily Chancellor 7. Shannon Parry 8. Grace Hamilton 9. Iliseva Batibasaga 10. Arabella McKenzie 11. Ivania Wong 12. Siokapesi Palu 13. Georgina Friedrichs 14. Bienne Terita 15. Pauline Piliae-Rasabale Reserves: 16. Ashley Marsters 17. Emily Robinson 18. Bridie O’Gorman 19. Kaitlan Leaney 20. Piper Duck 21. Layne Morgan 22. Trilleen Pomare 23. Lori Cramer. Black Ferns: 1. Pip Love 2. Luka Connor 3. Amy Rule 4. Maiakawanakaulani Roos 5. Joanah Ngan-Woo 6. Alana Bremner 7. Kendra Reynolds 8. Kennedy Simon (cc) 9. Ariana Bayler 10. Ruahei Demant (cc) 11. Ayesha Leti-I’iga 12. Chelsea Semple 13. Logo-I-Pulotu Lemapu Atai’i (Sylvia) Brunt 14. Ruby Tui 15. Grace Steinmetz* Reserves: 16. Natalie Delamere 17. Krystal Murray 18. Santo Taumata* 19. Chelsea Bremner 20. Charmaine McMenamin 21. Arihiana Marino-Tauhinu 22. Renee Holmes 23. Hazel Tubic Referee: Amber McLachlan (Australia) Assistant Referees: Maggie Cogger-Orr & Tyler Miller TMO: Lee Jeffrey Quite a different Black Ferns team with just seven starters from last week.
Muzzo
Roar Rookie
TBH with other players starting in this Black Fern side, & remembering that coach Wayne Smith has a squad of approx 50, there possibly will be a better contest. It’ll be interesting but I still can’t see the Wallaroo’s getting up, even if they do have a couple of Maori girls in their team.
Hugh_96
Roar Pro
Good luck
ClassAct
Guest
Come on Gals, what are you doing out of the kitchen ?!
Carl j
Guest
Go girls.