Wallaroos Atasi Lafai back four years Australian rugby debut v Black Ferns, result, scorers
Four years to the day after making her Australia debut this rugby gun returned to the international arena for the first time after an extraordinary comeback from injury.
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NSW gun Piper Duck was the only Wallaroo to dive over the line in the Australia team’s disappointing match-up with the Black Ferns as the classy New Zealand side kept intact its undefeated run against the visitors in Christchurch.
The Wallaroos went down 52-5 in a match where fly half Ruahei Demant and winger Ayesha Leti-I’iga scored two tries each.
Lock Joanah Ngan-Woo, centre Amy Du Plessis and Kendra Cocksedge also scored to put the Black Ferns ahead 26-0 lead at halftime.
Leti-I’iga and Demant scored their double sin the second half with Luka Connor also scoring late in the half.
Sydney’s Emily Robinson set up Duck’s late consolation try.
STRANGE FEAT BY SHUTE SHIELD STAR
“The finishers came on and did a really good job for us, and we got some turnovers in the back end of the game but that (lack of) detail, Giving too much possession, is always going to be a difficult assignment for us,’’ said Wallaroos coach Jay Tregonning.
“We want to learn from these results, and we want to hurt from it.
“Throughout our earlier games, we were competitive with teams above us in the rankings but tonight we weren’t.
“We’ll look forward to getting to Adelaide and get into the community and try and grow the game, that’s a big focus. We’re looking forward to getting there and moving on.”
ATASI LAFAI MAKING WALLAROOS RETURN FOUR YEARS AFTER DEBUT
EARLIER: Rugby gun Atasi Lafai is returning to the international arena for the first time since making her debut against the same team on exactly the same date back in 2018.
Strangely, it is in a completely different positions.
The Wallaroo from Minto has been named as a reserve for Australia in their Test match against the New Zealand Black Ferns in the first match of the O’Reilly Cup in Christchurch on Saturday.
Four years ago the sister of St George Dragons, Canterbury NRL gun and English Super League player Tim Lafai made her debut against the Black Ferns before a series of injuries - including two ACL’s - kept her out of the team.
“It’s been a tough time coming back but worth it,’’ said the now 28-year old who had a standout year for the NSW Waratahs before a collarbone injury put her out of action.
“I haven't played a Test match since 2018 when I was a back. Now I’m coming back as a forward.
“I feel like I’m making my debut all over again.
“I’m very excited to be coming off the bench but I know I have a job to do.’’
Lafai, who started her rugby career with the Campbelltown Harlequins, said wanting to experience the extraordinary feeling of playing for Australia is what kept her honed in on her objective of a Wallaroos return.
“I just kept chasing that feeling I had when I first debuted.
“There’s no feeling like it. It’s very special.
Lafai said her family are mad NRL fans and supporters.
“I haven’t been able to convert them,’’ she said.
"I’ll have to given them a ring and let them know I’m playing so they can watch.’
Queensland Reds prop Bree-Anna Cheatham is due to debut in Saturday’s match while
Brumbies gun Grace Kemp is down for a starting debut.
“We’re still building towards the World Cup, but we want to keep improving with every game and be competitive against the top teams in the world, which includes New Zealand.
“These two Test matches provide us with a great opportunity for further growth off the back of the Pacific Four campaign, with valuable game time for the players ahead of the World Cup.”
BUILDCORP WALLAROOS TO TAKE ON BLACK FERNS
1. Bree-Anna Cheatham* – Queensland Reds, 2. Ashley Marsters – Melbourne Rebels, 3. Bridie O’Gorman – NSW Waratahs, 4. Michaela Leonard – ACT Brumbies, 5. Kaitlan Leaney – NSW Waratahs, 6. Emily Chancellor – NSW Waratahs, 7. Shannon Parry (c) – Queensland Reds, 8. Grace Kemp** – ACT Brumbies, 9. Iliseva Batibasaga – NSW Waratahs, 10. Arabella McKenzie – NSW Waratahs, 11. Ivania Wong – Queensland Reds, 12. Cecilia Smith – Queensland Reds, 13. Georgina Friedrichs – NSW Waratahs, 14. Mahalia Murphy – NSW Waratahs, 15. Pauline Piliae-Rasabale – NSW Waratahs, Reserves: 16. Adiana Talakai – NSW Waratahs, 17. Emily Robinson – NSW Waratahs, 18. Eva Karpani – NSW Waratahs, 19. Atasi Lafai – NSW Waratahs, 20. Piper Duck – NSW Waratahs, 21. Layne Morgan – NSW Waratahs, 22. Trilleen Pomare – Western Force, 23. Lori Cramer – NSW Waratahs
*Denotes debut. **Denotes starting debut
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