Wallaroos 2019

[RugbyReg]

Training squad for the Japanese series has been announced with a new skipper and plenty of exciting rookies.

Forwards
Millie Boyle, Royals (Canberra), Queensland Women's XV
Emily Chancellor, Sydney University, NSW Waratahs Women
Rebecca Clough, Cottesloe, Rugby WA Women
Grace Hamilton, Sydney University, NSW Waratahs Women
Alisha Hewett, GPS/ADFRU, Queensland Women's XV
Evelyn Horomia, Western Sydney, NSW Waratahs Women
Asoiva (Eva) Karpani*, Randwick, NSW Waratahs Women
Michaela Leonard*, Vikings, Brumbies Women
Kiri Lingman, Sunnybank, Queensland Women's XV
Ashley Marsters, Box Hill, Melbourne Rebels Women
Shannon Mato*, Sunnybank, Queensland Women's XV
Averyl Mitchell*, Souths, Queensland Women's XV
Sera Naiqama*, Sydney University, NSW Waratahs Women
Liz Patu, Wests, Queensland Women's XV
Emily Robinson, Warringah, NSW Waratahs Women
Christina Sekona*, Sunnybank, Queensland Women's XV

Backs
Mhicca Carter, Cottesloe, Rugby WA Women
Georgia Cormick*, Powerhouse, Melbourne Rebels Women
Lori Cramer*, University of Queensland, Queensland Women's XV
Ariana Hira-Herangi*, Kalamunda, Rugby WA Women
Chloe Leaupepe, Warringah, NSW Waratahs Women
Alysia Lefau-Fakaosilea*, Sunnybank, Queensland Women's XV
Cobie-Jane Morgan, Sunnybank, Queensland Women's XV
Arabella McKenzie*, Randwick, NSW Waratahs Women
Mahalia Murphy, Campbelltown, NSW Waratahs Women
Asako Ono*, University of Queensland, Queensland Women's XV
Trilleen Pomare, Kalamunda, Rugby WA Women
Sarah Riordan, Wests/ADFRU, Queensland Women's XV
Samantha Treherne, Sunnybank, Queensland Women's XV
*Denotes Uncapped

 

[dru]

12 from Qld, go team.

 

[Braveheart81]

 

[Jets]

Out of interest, have the Wallaroos had more indigenous players than the Wallabies?

 

[RugbyReg]

Out of interest, have the Wallaroos had more indigenous players than the Wallabies?

Who have the Wallaroos had? Murphy. Who else?

 

[LearningCurve]

Who have the Wallaroos had? Murphy. Who else?

Has Courtney Hodder played for them yet?

 

[RugbyReg]

Has Courtney Hodder played for them yet?

no

 

[Jets]

I think Lori Crammer is too. I'm not sure historically, thought someone here might have the stats.

 

[Rugbynutter39]

Forgot about the Wallaroos playing at North Sydney Oval as had intended to try and go....interesting that Newcastle game got slightly bigger crowd than what they got at North Sydney Oval....and as someone who grew up a Novocastrian I can understand why...for me why get a good product could put a team out of Newcastle (e.g. Global Rapid Rugby)….but I digress

 

[Braveheart81]

Grace Hamilton was absolutely incredible on Friday night. What a player and what a game!

Alysia Lefau-Fakaosilea was again very impressive for such a young player. She is such an exciting prospect. Despite not being that big she powers through contact and makes so many metres with tacklers hanging off her.

The try Millie Boyle scored was absolutely brilliant with superb offloading and support play.

 

[Sully]

Lefau-Fakaosilea was outplayed by Murphy at 15 and the 12, forgotten her name, in my opinion.

 

[Braveheart81]

Lefau-Fakaosilea was outplayed by Murphy at 15 and the 12, forgotten her name, in my opinion.

Hira-Herangi is the 12. She had a really strong game too.

They're certainly an exciting combination in the midfield. Both were on debut.

 

[RugbyReg]

I think ALF was better than both to be honest. She was more involved than Murphy and she worked harder than HH. She made a couple of mistakes but she was pretty damn incredible.

Here are my thoughts from Sully's Blog Review:

I've really enjoyed watching this team this year. There is a lot of exciting players and these Japan hit outs have been invaluable. Imagine walking straight into a game v the Black Ferns?
So things I think will serve us well v the BF:
- the physicality of our pack. Our backrow is fantastic and Hamilton and Boyle are tremendous ball runners. Obviously we had a size advantage over Japan, but at least we've built our confidence and patterns.
- we played two separate styles in the two games. More forward oriented in Newcatle and then using the backs more last night. Nice adaptability.
- I love our back three. Very dangerous players (along with Carter from the bench). The more we can get their hands on the ball the better. I want to see Murphy in space more.
- ALF is a sensation. Still learning the game but the vision and ability (defensively, leg drive, passing) is exceptional for a teenager. Let alone her calmness under pressure. Her combo with Hira Herangi is developing nicely.
- our set piece is coming along nicely. The Japanese technique in the scrum was a real challenge for them but they did well.
- Cramer's goal kicking is very good and will be key v the kiwis (hopefully we can keep it close)
- the impact off the bench is fantastic.
Things that are a worry:
- I don't think our halves are quite clicking. I really like both players and they are very experienced but I don't think they are creating enough space for our backline. Morgan is a canny player but delivery can be slow.
- our work at the breakdown was put under pressure by the Japanese and the kiwis will be all over this. Needs to be a big focus moving forward.
- our discipline last night was pretty damn average. Can't give away that number of penalties against the kiwis.
- we haven't been properly tested defensively yet. Some passages for sure (perhaps more in Newcastle) but not the way the kiwis will.
Considering all of the above, I can't wait for the tests v New Zealand. I am quietly (perhaps ill-advisedly) confident of an upset.

 

[RugbyReg]

Wallaroos squad for the New Zealand series:

Forwards
Millie Boyle (vc), Royals (Canberra), Queensland Women’s XV
Emily Chancellor, Sydney University, NSW Waratahs Women
Rebecca Clough, Cottesloe, RugbyWA Women
Grace Hamilton (c), Sydney University, NSW Waratahs Women
Alisha Hewett, GPS/ADFRU, Queensland Women’s XV
Evelyn Horomia, Western Sydney, NSW Waratahs Women
Asoiva (Eva) Karpani, Randwick, NSW Waratahs Women
Michaela Leonard, Vikings, Brumbies Women
Ashley Marsters, Harlequins, Melbourne Rebels Women
Michelle Milward, Vikings, Brumbies Women
Shannon Mato, Sunnybank, Queensland Women’s XV
Averyl Mitchell, Souths, Queensland Women’s XV
Sera Naiqama, Sydney University, NSW Waratahs Women
Liz Patu, Wests, Queensland Women’s XV
Emily Robinson, Warringah, NSW Waratahs Women
Christina Sekona, Sunnybank, Queensland Women’s XV

Backs
Iliseva Batibasaga, Sydney University, NSW Waratahs Women
Mhicca Carter, Cottesloe, RugbyWA Women
Georgia Cormick, Power House, Melbourne Rebels Women
Lori Cramer, University of Queensland, Queensland Women’s XV
Ariana Hira-Herangi, Kalamunda, RugbyWA Women
Alysia Leafu-Fakaosilea, Sunnybank, Queensland Women’s XV
Arabella McKenzie, Randwick, NSW Waratahs Women
Mahalia Murphy, Campbelltown, NSW Waratahs Women
Trilleen Pomare, Kalamunda, RugbyWA Women
Sarah Riordan, Wests/ADFRU, Queensland Women’s XV
Alana Elisaia*, Sunnybank, Queensland Women’s XV
Samantha Treherne, Sunnybank Queensland Women’s XV
*Denotes uncapped

So changes from that initial squad are new players coming in in Iliseva Batibasaga, Alana Elisaia and Michelle Milward.

Kiri Lingman is out injured. Cobie-Jane Morgan is out for personal reasons while the other non-selected players are Asaka Ono and Chloe Leaupepe.

 

[RugbyReg]

This is an awesome development opportunity for the Wallaroos (And coaches):

The next generation of Buildcorp Wallaroos talent will be on display in Fiji this November with the Oceania Rugby Women’s Championship in Lautoka.

An Australia A squad will assemble for the tournament, mixing together the next generation of identified Wallaroos stars to gain valuable International experience against the best nations from our region.

The Australia A squad has been placed in Pool B alongside Fiji and Papua New Guinea. In Pool A the Black Ferns Development side will play Samoa and Tonga.

Fiji, PNG, Tonga and Samoa will all be battling it out for Rugby World Cup qualification for the tournament’s next rendition in New Zealand in 2021 with Australia and New Zealand having already qualified for the tournament.

Buildcorp Wallaroos Head Coach Dwayne Nestor said: “This tournament gives us an excellent opportunity to expose more players to the wider Wallaroos program and show them the standard required to play Internationally.

“2020 is a very important year for the Buildcorp Wallaroos as we put together the final building blocks for the 2021 Rugby World Cup.

“More game time is crucial to growing our depth and I am looking forward to this tour bringing out more players that can compete at Test level.”

The team will be coached by Queensland Reds Head Coach, Moana Virtue with Alana Thomas of the Melbourne Rebels Women as her Assistant.

Australia A Fixtures
Monday 18 November, Australia A v Tonga, 12.30pm AEDT
Friday 22 November, Australia A v Black Ferns Development, 12.30pm AEDT
Tuesday 26 November, Australia A v Samoa, 12.30pm AEDT

Australia A Squad for Oceania Rugby Women’s Championship
Grace Kemp, Brumbies Women
Michaela Leonard, Brumbies Women
Remi Wilton, Brumbies Women
Samantha Wood, Brumbies Women
Piper Duck, NSW Waratahs Women
Kennedy Cherrington, NSW Waratahs Women
Courtney Frankl, NSW Waratahs Women
Fi Jones, NSW Waratahs Women
Asoiva (Eva) Karpani, NSW Waratahs Women
Atasi Lafai, NSW Waratahs Women
Lillyann Mason, NSW Waratahs Women
Arabella Mckenzie, NSW Waratahs Women
Sera Naiqama, NSW Waratahs Women
Tasmin Sheppard, NSW Waratahs Women
Maya Stewart, NSW Waratahs
Millie Boyle, Queensland Reds
Alana Elisaia, Queensland Reds
Toa (Dora) Filimoehala, Queensland Reds
Georgina Friedrichs, Queensland Reds
Courtney Hodder, Queensland Reds
Averyl Mitchell, Queensland Reds
Kirby Sefo, Queensland Reds
Christina Sekona, Queensland Reds
Zahara Temara, Queensland Reds
Georgia Cormick, Melbourne Rebels Women
Janita Kareta, Melbourne Rebels Women
Tiarah Minns, Melbourne Rebels Women
Titilia Yabaki, Melbourne Rebels Women