Put aside your Rugby World Cup and Eddie hangover. Just push through for the final couple of international 15s games on Friday and Saturday. You will not be disappointed. And you don’t even have to set your alarm clock to wake up early!
The Wallaroos and Wales face off on Friday 5PM AEDST
It was always going to be intriguing what coach Jay Tregonning was going to do with selections. Stick with the winning combination from last weekend, or bring back the experienced players who are now available. In reality, it is not a surprise the old heads have been brought back into the 23 and a couple of other changes.
It really shows Tregonning and his coaching crew have done a terrific job building some depth.
The starting pack remains the same with two changes to the bench. Understandably Ash Marsters is back, she has been one of the best Wallaroos all season. In possibly just the toss of a coin prop Bridie O’Gorman is back, having completed her two-game suspension.
The Wallaroos celebrate a win. (Photo by Andrea Cardin – World Rugby/World Rugby via Getty Images)
In the backs, winger Maya Stewart returns from concussion replacing Desiree Miller. Despite Miller having had a good game last week Stewart has been the standout winger all season. On the bench, halfback Jay Huriwai has been selected over Sarah Dougherty. Huriwai is a feisty firecracker of a player who will add a lot when she comes on. Also on the bench is experienced Lori Cramer who returns from injury. There must have been thought to starting with Cramer but Faitala Moleka has been playing well and an old head to come on to close out at a game is pretty handy.
Wales are another physical northern hemisphere team, so the Wallaroos will need to replicate last week’s physicality in the contact zone. It will be a test for the Wallaroos – do they have enough petrol in the tank, having already had two back-to-back physical games?
Wales will have an added incentive to win having gone down 13-7 to the Wallaroos in last year’s World Cup and taking a beating from the Kiwis last weekend as well. You can expect the Welsh to be more than up for the game.
While past performance is no indication of future performance, the Wallaroos have defeated Wales in all five of their previous matches. (Granted the last time, prior to the World Cup, was in 2014). The Wallaroos will want to keep their undefeated record intact.
While it is unlikely the Wallaroos need further motivation, it is coach Tregonning’s last game as coach, so pretty sure the players will want to send him out with a win.
Ashley Marsters. (Photo by Chris Tanouye – World Rugby/World Rugby via Getty Images)
On Saturday is a real clash of the titans. What a way to finish the inaugural WXV tier 1 tournament. A rematch of last year’s Rugby World Cup final with the Black Ferns taking on the Red Roses. It is a perfect way to finish the tournament.
Both teams have had a number of changes from their World Cup final lineups with retirements and the Kiwis do not have their rugby sevens stars. As cliched as it is, England will want revenge for the World Cup final loss, which not doubt still hurts. On the flipside the Kiwis will still be irritated they lost the other week to France, even though they came out the following week and belted Wales 70-7.
Both teams play very different games. The English, very structured, set piece oriented. The Kiwis like to run with ball and play a more attacking style.
We will have to see who comes out the winner, but it should be a good game. The result may well determine who takes out the inaugural WXV Tier 1 tournament.
Rosie Kelly of New Zealand celebrates a try. (Photo by Dave Rowland/Getty Images)
The earlier game on Saturday should also be a cracker, France up against Canada. They have been pretty well matched over the years. Canada has had seven wins and France nine but in the World Cup last year, France blitzed Canada 36-0. No doubt France will be stinging after the loss to the Wallaroos so will be more than keen to get a win.
By the way, if you do switch on the game, keep an eye on the Canadian captain and No.8 Sophie de Goede who is without doubt one of the best players and goalkickers in world rugby.
All done for international 15s rugby, have a break for a month, then it is the Dubai rugby sevens from the beginning of December.
Rugby never sleeps.
Wallaroos team to play Wales at Mount Smart Stadium, Auckland on Friday 3 November, 5:00pm AEDT
Starters
1. Brianna Hoy – 2 caps
2. Tania Naden – 8 caps
3. Eva Karpani – 20 caps
4. Sera Naiqama – 12 caps
5. Michaela Leonard (c) – 21 caps
6. Siokapesi Palu – 5 caps
7. Emily Chancellor – 22 caps
8. Kaitlan Leaney – 14 caps
9. Layne Morgan – 18 caps
10. Carys Dallinger – 5 caps
11. Ivania Wong – 14 caps
12. Arabella McKenzie – 20 caps
13. Georgina Friedrichs – 18 caps
14. Maya Stewart – 7 caps
15. Faitala Moleka – 5 caps
Finishers
16. Adiana Talakai – 15 caps
17. Bree-Anna Cheatham – 8 caps
18. Bridie O’Gorman – 16 caps
19. Atasi Lafai – 8 caps
20. Ashley Marsters – 25 caps
21. Jay Huriwai – 5 caps
22. Cecilia Smith – 11 caps
23. Lori Cramer – 18 caps
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