The Wallaroos hope two personnel changes can help close the gap on the Black Ferns in the second women’s rugby Test in Auckland on Saturday.
Coach Dwayne Nestor has introduced speedy fullback Mhicca Carter and flanker Shannon Mato for the Eden Park return match, banking on their injection to spark improvements across the board following the 47-10 loss in Perth.
Australia have no chance of winning the Laurie O’Reilly Memorial Trophy but Nestor wants more fight, believing his side were “bullied” by the world champions.
“We were disappointed with the performance we put out last week as we know that wasn’t our best rugby,” Nestor said.
“Bringing Shannon into the starting side, just changes things up for us a bit in the backrow and we know Mhicca has got some explosive speed that can match her opposite numbers.”
One change on the bench sees the return of experienced Brumbies second-rower Michelle Milward.
New Zealand coach Glenn Moore has made no starting changes and his team expect to face a sterner challenge from the Australians when they bid to extend their perfect trans-Tasman record to 19 wins.
“We’re expecting Australia to bring more physicality to the game and to be more clinical,” he said.
Like last week, the match will be played before the men’s Bledisloe Cup Test.
BLACK FERNS: Selica Winiata, Renee Wickliffe, Carla Hohepa, Chelsea Alley, Ayesha Leti-l’iga, Ruahei Demant, Kendra Cocksedge, Charmaine McMenamin, Les Elder (capt), Pia Tapsell, Charmaine Smith, Eloise Blackwell, Aleisha-Pearl Nelson, Te Kura Ngata-Aerengamate, Toka Natua. Res: Luka Connor, Leilani Perese, Olivia Ward-Duin, Jackie Patea-Fereti, Kennedy Simon/ Joanah Ngan-Woo, Arihiana Marina-Tauhinu, Krysten Cottrell, Grace Brooker.
WALLAROOS: Mhicca Carter, Mahalia Murphy, Alysia Lefau-Fakaosilia, Lori Cramer, Trilleen Pomara, Georgia Cormick, Grace Hamilton (capt), Shannon Mato, Millie Boyle, Alisha Hewett, Michaela Leonard, Evelyn Horomia, Averyl Mitchell, Liz Patu. Res: Ash Marsters, Emily Robinson, Christina Sekona, Michelle Milward, Emily Chancellor, Iliseva Batibasaga, Arabella McKenzie, Samantha Treherne.
