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FULL TIME | ||
|---|---|---|
| Women's Rugby World Cup | ||
| Venue: Northlands Event Centre, Whanarei | ||
| Australia | vs | Wales |
| 13 | Score | 7 |
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The Wallaroos sit in the box seat for quarter-final qualification in the Rugby Union Women’s World Cup and face Wales in their final pool match of the tournament. Join The Roar for live scores and commentary from 12:15pm (AEDT).
A gritty win against Scotland where the Wallaroos ended the match two players down thanks to carded offences has set the team up well for a shot at qualifying for the quarter-finals.
A win or draw against the Welsh will confirm their position, whereas a loss will see them sweating on other results and hopeful of being one of the top-two third-placed teams come the end of the group phase.
With a strong wind playing havoc with kicks and passes, the Australians were disappointing against the Scots, conceding a considerable first-half lead, before finding better rhythm in the second half and storming home for the win.
Things became very nervy in the final seconds as the team held on grimly despite being short on troops and across the balance of play, Scotland were potentially a little unlucky; ruing poor execution in the opening period that could well have seen them further in front at the break.
The Welsh were belted by the Kiwis 56-12 in their second pool game, after toppling Scotland in their opening match by 18-15, with victory secured on the last kick of the game. Thus, both sides are eyeing off second spot in the group and the loser, destined for some restless hours awaiting their fate.
In team changes, Ivania Wong comes onto a wing for the Wallaroos and in a forward reshuffle, Eva Karpani heads back to the bench and Bridie O’Gormann moves into the back row.
Adiana Talakai holds her place after a strong performance against Scotland and the halves pairing of Arabella McKenzie and Iliseva Batibasaga also hold their places despite being unconvincing last weekend.
Prediction
In what looks likely to be a tight tussle, the Wallaroos will have to overcome a committed and disciplined Welsh back that will look to grind through the centre of the field before earning to right to play more expansively.
The Australians must hold them in that area and resist the temptation to shift the ball before crossing the advantage line and turning around the Welsh pack. Expect a tight one.
Wales by 6 points in something of an upset.
Kick-off: 12:15pm (AEDT)
Venue: Northlands Event Centre, Whanarei
Live stream: Stan Sport
Odds: Australia $1.28; Wales $3.60 – odds via PlayUp
Teams
Wallaroos
Lori Cramer, Bienne Terita, Georgina Friedrichs, Sharni Williams, Ivania Wong, Arabella McKenzie, Iliseva Batibasaga, Grace Hamilton, Shannon Parry (c), Emily Chancellor, Atasi Lafai, Michaela Leonard, Bride O’Gorman Adiana Talakai, Liz Patu
Reserves: Ashley Marsters, Emily Robinson, Eva Karpani, Grace Kemp, Piper Duck, Layne Morgan, Trileen Pomare, Pauline Piliae-Rasabale
Wales
Niamh Terry, Jasmine Joyce, Carys Williams-Morris, Hannah Jones (c), Lisa Neumann, Elinor Snowsill, Ffion Lewis, Sioned Harries, Alex Callender, Bethan Lewis, Gwen Crabb, Natalia John, Cerys Hale, Kelsey Jones, Cara Hope
Reserves: Carys Phillips, Caryl Thomas, Sisilia Tuipulotu, Georgia Evans, Siwan Lilicrap, Keira Bevan, Robyn Wilkins
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