New-look Wallaroos ready for rugby Test against Black Ferns
THE Wallaroos will go to their historic game against the Black Ferns on Saturday with a new-look and a confidence building win under their belts.
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THE Wallaroos go into to their historic game against the Black Ferns on Saturday with a new-look, numerous new faces and an ‘eye-opening’ win under their belts.
The Wallaroos team to play the Black Ferns boasts six debutants in the 15 with another six named on the reserve bench for the trans-Tasman clash.
Captain Ash Hewson said the Wallaroos have gained confidence from a good hit out against a local side in Auckland earlier this week.
“Obviously their current Black Ferns weren’t there but they still had a couple of caps playing,’’ Hewson said of the Wallaroos 21-19 victory over Auckland Storm.
“It was a pretty physical game and that’s good preparation for what we will get on Saturday.
“It was a real eye-opener for some of our debutants who have never faced that before.’’
The Wallaroos have never beaten New Zealand in a Test match, something Hewson says her side is determined to rectify sooner rather than later.
Saturday’s match is the first time the Wallaroos, Black Ferns, Wallabies and All Blacks have played in a double header together.
“Taking on the Black Ferns at Eden Park is going to be a great challenge but the team is really excited by the opportunity to play New Zealand and we can’t wait to get out onto the field,”
said Wallaroos coach Paul Verrell.
The Wallaroos match against the Black Ferns kicks off at 2.55pm AEDT and will be broadcast live on FOX SPORTS.
Buildcorp Wallaroos team to play New Zealand: Louise Burrows, Canberra Royals, Ivy Kaleta*, Sunnybank, Hana Ngaha*, Sunnybank, Alisha Hewett, GPS, Chloe Butler, Parramatta, Mollie Gray, Sydney University, Vesinia Schaaf-Tatufa*, Palmyra, Liz Patu, Wests
Iliseva Batibasaga, Sydney University, Ashleigh Hewson (c), Sydney University, Shontelle Stowers*, Warringah, Hanna Sio, Parramatta, Nareta Marsters*, Sunnybank, Cobie-Jane Morgan, Warringah, Sarah Riordan*, Merewether Carlton/ Reserves: Alanna Patison*, Newcastle University, Emily Robinson*, Warringah, Danielle Meskell, Warringah, Grace Hamilton*, Sydney University, Kirby Sefo*, Sunnybank, Ariana Kaiwai*, Blacktown, Katrina Barker*, Warringah
Cheyenne Campbell, Redlands. *Debutants
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