Silence, positives and playing the Kiwis again: The Wallaroos are back

Maybe it is time for a little redirection after the Wallabies performance.

No doubt all week will be about Eddie, Hamish, the Wallabies and widespread venting. Why not add a bit of variety and some positive rugby news?

Those who follow the Wallaroos will be aware they are back in action in New Zealand this Saturday.

While facing the Kiwis again is tough enough, the Wallaroos follow that up by playing in the World Rugby WXV Tier 1 competition against the big dogs of England, France and Wales. The Wallaroos are a bit like the Wallabies competing in the top tier, but not really at that level.

Silence is Golden?

Rugby AU had a lot on its plate, even before the World Cup disaster. It is still surprising, that nothing has come out following the Wallaroos players meeting with RA. The players, through their social media statements, raised a range of issues and consequently met with Phil Waugh.

According to a couple of players who have spoken, they seem to have had some worthwhile initial discussions with Waugh and Rugby AU. They have said Waugh was receptive and listened to their concerns.

Yet, not a word of an update from RA, is just bizarre.

What is also just as unusual is that RUPA have not come out with a comment or update either.

Silence can be golden. Maybe a bit of a twist on an old saying “If you have not got anything good to say, do not say anything.”

With the Wallabies World Cup performance, am guessing Wallaroos updates are a little down the pecking order.

Hopefully behind the scenes things are progressing in some form.

Wallaroos’ Positives

It is not all doom and gloom – there are some real positives.

The new Ballymore is the Wallaroos’ base going forward – a great facility. The players were up there in camp recently and seemed to be really enjoying the new facilities. A terrific example of demonstrating to the players that they are valued.

Rugby AU has appointed a Women’s High-Performance Manager, Jaime Fernandez. (This is part of a World Rugby initiative, Accelerate, a new global framework for growth and targeted investment to fast track the development of Women’s Rugby both on and off the field.)

The Australia Wallaroos salute the crowd after their win against U.S. in the World Rugby Pacific Four Series at TD Place Stadium on July 8, 2023 in Ottawa, Ontario, Canada. (Photo by Andrea Cardin – World Rugby/World Rugby via Getty Images)

Recently Rugby AU announced they are making the Wallaroos coach role a full time position and have started the selection process. This was also one of the issues raised by the Wallaroos players.

Then, out of left field, the NSW Waratahs are appointing a fulltime Director of Women’s High Performance Rugby. The role will be responsible for coaching the Super W team, co-ordinating the NSW Women’s Elite Sevens side and developing the Women’s Elite Training Program.

In response to the players concerns about recognition and profile Rugby AU has finally upped the Wallaroos social media posts. There has been a noticeable increase. More posts showing off the players’ personalities. While RA does not have the dollars for marketing and promotion, leveraging social media is a simple alternative.

Wallaroos face the Black Ferns again

It feels a bit like groundhog day – the Wallaroos face the Kiwis again. No doubt the players will be up for the game as they are for every game. But sometimes you wonder if the players experience a bit of PTSD facing up to the women from across the ditch.

The squad selected, led again by Michaela Leonard, is pretty much as expected. Although the Wallaroos last match against Canada was a heavy loss, In fact, you could probably name the 23 that will play on Saturday or get pretty close to it.

One position up for grabs is the number 8, with captain Piper Duck still out injured and Grace Hamilton not in the squad. Possibly Tabua Tuinakauvadra will get a start. Duck has had to go in for surgery on her ankle. Not sure if that relates to the injury she had earlier in the season or whether this is a new one. Anyway, a mighty frustrating season for her.

As mentioned earlier, silence is said to be golden. Missing from the squad is former Wallaroo captain and stalwart of the team Hamilton. She joined the NRLW Roosters as an injury replacement after the Pacific Four Series.

There has been no statement or comment by RA whether she has left rugby. Although it is not unusual, I remember when Vani Pelite, one of our real stars of the sevens team, left the rugby to NRLW with not a word from RA. (Maybe it was just an oversight.)

So as an aperitif to the Wallabies’ Portugal game on Monday morning, check out the Wallaroos on Saturday afternoon. At this stage I think, (fingers crossed), the Wallabies have a better chance of a win than the Wallaroos, noting the Wallaroos have not beaten the Kiwis previously.