Nine players named for debut in Wallaroos v Black Ferns
WALLAROOS coach Dwayne Nestor has named nine players to make their debut in Saturday’s historic rugby Test double header against New Zealand.
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NINE players are set to make their debut for the Wallaroos when they take on New Zealand on Saturday.
Emily Chancellor, Georgia O’Neill, Atasi Lafai, Crystal Maguire, and Mhicca Carter will run out in the starting XV with Darryl Wickliffe, Melissa Fatu, Alice Tonumaivao and Shanice Parker to potentially make their debuts from the bench.
The match will be played as an historic double header with the Wallabies’ Bledisloe Cup match at ANZ Stadium. The men’s and women’s sides have never played on the same bill on Australian soil.
Liz Patu will lead her country out as captain for the first time alongside vice-captain, Rebecca Clough with both players to earn their 21st Test cap.
Crystal Maguire comes into the starting XV after an ankle injury to Sarah Riordan on Wednesday ruled her out for the first clash with New Zealand.
“We’ve had a really excellent build up to our first match of 2018 and the team is chomping at the bit to get out there and play some rugby,” coach Dwayne Nestor said.
“I’ve been really impressed with how this team has taken on the detail of the way we want to play and physically worked hard over the last few months; it’s all come together in camp quite well.
“It was really disappointing to lose Sarah Riordan to injury yesterday, but from injury comes an opportunity for Crystal Maguire to show what she can do in the centres.
“This match is going to be incredibly tough, but it’s a challenge we are really looking forward to.”
The match will be broadcast LIVE on FOX SPORTS with kick off at 5.15pm AEST.
WALLAROOS TEAM
1. Emily Robinson, (NSW, 7 caps), 2. Liz Patu (Queensland, 20 caps), 3. Evelyn Horomia (NSW, 2 caps), 4. Michelle Milward (ACT, 6 caps), 5. Rebecca Clough (Western Australia, 20 caps), 6. Emily Chancellor* (NSW), 7. Georgia O’Neill* (ACT), 8. Grace Hamilton (NSW, 9 caps), 9. Cobie-Jane Morgan (NSW, 16 caps), 10. Trileen Pomare (Western Australia, 5 caps), 11. Samantha Treherne (Queensland, 7 caps), 12. Crystal Maguire* (NSW), 13 Atasi Lafai* (NSW), 14 Mhicca Carter* (Western Australia), 15 Mahalia Murphy (NSW, 5 caps). Reserves: 16. Darryl Wickliffe* (Western Australia), 17. Melissa Fatu* (NSW), 18. Hana Ngaha (Queensland, 9 caps), 19 Alisha Hewett (Queensland, 20 caps), 20. Kiri Lingman (Queensland, 3 caps), 21. Alice Tonumaivao* (Melbourne Rebels), 22. Fenella Hake (Queensland, 8 caps), 23. Shanice Parker* (NSW)