Experienced Wallaroos trio Ashley Marsters, Bridie O’Gorman and Lori Cramer will be called upon to close out Australia’s final WXV1 Test against Wales on Friday.
Coach Jay Tregonning today announced five changes to the match day squad from last week’s 29-20 win over France in Dunedin, with Marsters, O’Gorman and Cramer named as finishers.
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All three featured against Wales during last year’s 13-7 Rugby World Cup win and boast a combined 59 Test caps in gold.
Tregonning said experience would be key against a Welsh side seeking redemption at Mount Smart Stadium.
“That’s where we wanted to look at from a point of coming off the bench to close out a tight game,” Tregonning told rugby.com.au.
“Obviously in tight head with Bridie there, Emily Robinson’s done an outstanding job and she’s unlucky to miss a spot. Then you’ve got young Leilani (Nathan) who misses out with Ash coming back in and young Desi (Desiree Miller) who’s missed out with Lori coming back in and Mel Wilks missing out there as well.
“The names we’re starting to say are out of the team shows how strong the 23 is, and to me that a positive with the women’s game going forward.”
Maya Stewart also returns to the starting side after passing return-to-play protocols following her head knock last month while Brumbies halfback Jay Huriwai replaces Sarah Dougherty as Layne Morgan’s deputy.
“Obviously Maya got concussed in that game against England. We just feel that she’s ahead of the other outside backs there and comes back into the wing spot she left,” Tregonning said.
“Again a tough call with Sarah, she’s done a great job from an attacking point of view but we feel Jay strengthens the defence a little bit. She’s a bit more of a half forward than a half back sometimes so it’s definitely what we want to see, obviously knowing Wales’ threats close to the line and what they do around there.
“Having all 30 players available this week was outstanding and it’s a credit to the performance staff and medical staff.
“We’re in a situation where we’ve made some tough calls and we said to the players this morning that everyone within this 30 was capable of playing this test match and had proven their capabilities.
“Making changes after a win is always a difficult thing to do but there’s a few people coming back in those different positions and we’ve made those tough calls.”
Wallaroos team to play Wales at Mount Smart Stadium, Auckland on Friday 3 November, 5:00pm AEDT
Starters
1. Brianna Hoy – 2 cap
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
BUILDCORP WALLAROOS WXV1 FIXTURES
Wallaroos 7 def by v England 42 on Friday 20 October, Sky Stadium, Wellington
Wallaroos 29 def France 20 on Saturday 28 October, Forsyth Barr Stadium, Dunedin
Wallaroos v Wales, 5:00pm (AEDT), Friday 3 November, Mount Smart Stadium, Auckland
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