Thu, 29 Jun 6:30pm Kick off 7:00pm AEST on STAN Sports
Our Wallaroos side kicks off their Pacific 4 campaign tonight against a familiar foe when they face the Black Ferns at Kayo Stadium in Brisbane.
Now I know we can all probably agree that ‘yes’ New Zealand Rugby sides are generally fair-to-middling when it comes to consistent delivery of top notch rugby. There’s that side down the arse end of The Poxy Isles that wins a few trophies in Super Rugby. Their national side that are Nearly All in Black, ‘the Nearlies’, also go ok (more so when Nigel Owens would officiate the games) and then there’s the most recent world champs, the Black Ferns, whom the Wallaroos aint never beaten, yet.
Is it just me of is there something special building at Camp Wallaroo? In Ash Masters we have potentially one of the worlds best players, certainly the most versatile. From halfback to hooker, to outstanding flanker, what can’t she do? We welcome back players from a UK sabbatical, especially the already outstanding Emily Chancellor. The team are fitter and more skilled and you can see the benefits of improved professionalism and funding (hmmmm) starting to shape better athletes and a more complete side and a side on the rise.
Sure the legendary Shannon Parry has retired and replacement skipper Piper ‘Plucka’ Duck is out injured but that gives rise to promising WA lock Michaela Leonard to start as captain.
I get that the Black Ferns are on a 23 & 0 bender against the Wallaroos. I get that they are worthy world champs and can still call on one of rugby’s greatest ever coaches in Wayne Smith (now director of coaching), but I sense ‘opportunity’. I sense a growing gold wave building. A home world cup beckons, better athletes are developing, better skills are being honed and better results will surely follow.
Does this mean a famous first gold win in Brissie tonight?
Yes, yes it does.
Fearless Prediction: Wallaroos by 5 and a new dynasty is born. You heard it here first.
WALLAROOS
1. Bree-Anna Cheatham 2. Tania Naden 3. Eva Karpani 4. Michaela Leonard (C) 5. Annabelle Codey 6. Kaitlan Leaney 7. Ashley Marsters 8. Grace Hamilton 9. Layne Morgan 10. Carys Dallinger 11. Ivania Wong 12. Cecilia Smith 13. Georgina Friedrichs 14. Maya Stewart 15. Faitala Moleka
Reserves 16. Madison Schuck 17. Emily Robinson 18. Bridie O’Gorman 19. Sera Naiqama 20. Emily Chancellor 21. Jasmin Huriwai 22. Arabella McKenzie 23. Alana Elisaia
BLACK FERNS
1. Kate Henwood 2. Georgia Ponsonby 3. Tanya Kalounivale 4. Maiakawanakaulani Roos 5. Chelsea Bremner 6. Alana Bremner 7. Kennedy Simon (co-c) 8. Liana Mikaele-Tu’u 9. Arihiana Marino-Tauhinu 10. Ruahei Demant (co-c) 11. Katelyn Vahaakolo 12. Logo-I-Pulotu Lemapu Atai’i (Sylvia) Brunt 13. Amy du Plessis 14. Mererangi Paul 15. Renee Holmes
Reserves 16. Luka Connor 17. Krystal Murray 18. Amy Rule 19. Joanah Ngan Woo 20. Kendra Reynolds 21. Iritana Hohaia 22. Rosie Kelly 23. Tenika Willison
