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Ashley Marsters set to make history by equalling Wallaroos record

Australia's Ashley Marsters (L) celebrates with Australia's Desiree Miller after scoring a try during the women's international rugby union match between Australia and USA at AAMI Park in Melbourne on May 17, 2024. (Photo by Martin KEEP / AFP)

Ashley Marsters will enter the history books this weekend after being named in Australia’s side to take on South Africa in WXV2. On Saturday at Athlone Stadium, Marsters will equal Liz Patu’s record of 33 Wallaroos appearances.

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Marsters debuted in Aussie gold in 2014 against New Zealand in Rotorua. The backrower has gone on to feature at two Rugby World Cups (2014 and 2021) and is revered as one of the greatest players to have pulled on a Wallaroos jersey.

The 30-year-old joins the ever-reliable Siokapesi Palu and No. 8 Tabua Tuinakauvadra in a solid loose forward trio. Captain Michaela Leonard and Kaitlan Leaney will pack down in front of them in an experienced Wallaroos middle row.

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Up front, Bridie O’Gorman joins Tania Naden and Eva Karpani. It’s a forward pack that certainly packs a punch with an average of 22.38 Test caps per player. The most inexperienced member of that run-on forward pack is Tuinakauvadra with nine caps so far.

In the backline, Laune Morgan and Faitala Moleka will link up in the halves, while Cecilia Smith returns to the First XV after impressing off the bench last time out. Smith joins the experienced Georgian Friedrichs in the midfield.

Match Summary

1
Penalty Goals
0
6
Tries
1
2
Conversions
0
0
Drop Goals
0
149
Carries
93
10
Line Breaks
2
20
Turnovers Lost
15
6
Turnovers Won
6

Desiree Miller and Maya Stewart will line up on the left and right wings respectively, while Caitlyn Halse has been given the nod at fullback,. On the bench, 25-Test veteran Lori Cramer will look to add impact in the No. 23 jumper.

The Wallaroos are looking to keep their unbeaten start to WXV2 alive following their 37-5 win over Wales last week.

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“Last week’s win was a good start to the tournament and it’s important we grow from here and put in another strong performance,” coach Jo Yapp said.

“We were happy with parts of our game but know there’s room for improvement in other areas and South Africa will present a big challenge on home turf.

“It’s unfortunate to lose Nat and Ash to injury, both have been working really hard and made a lot of progress.

“Sammy comes back in and Waiaria gets an opportunity to join the tour and gain valuable experience.

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“Both played really well in the Australia A game last month and performed well in our recent camps.”

The Australian women’s team haven’t played South Africa since 2014, with that fixture taking place at the Rugby World Cup. The Wallaroos have won all three matches between the sides since 2006.

This match between Australia and South Africa kicks off at 1:00 am ASEST on Sunday morning.

Wallaroos team to take on South Africa

  1. Bridie O’Gorman (#180 – Sydney University) – 25 caps
  2. Tania Naden (#197 – Uni-North Owls) – 17 caps
  3. Eva Karpani (#171 – Onkaparinga) – 29 caps
  4. Kaitlan Leaney (#179 – CSU Marlins) – 23 caps
  5. Michaela Leonard (c) (#168 – Tuggeranong Vikings) – 30 caps
  6. Siokapesi Palu (#194 – Rockdale Rangers) – 14 caps
  7. Ashley Marsters (#117 – Booroondarra) – 32 caps
  8. Tabua Tuinakauvadra (#200 – Tuggeranong Vikings) – 9 caps
  9. Layne Morgan (#188 – Merewether Carlton) – 27 caps
  10. Faitala Moleka (#199 – Blacktown Scorpions) – 13 caps
  11. Desiree Miller (#204 – Eastern Suburbs) – 10 caps
  12. Cecilia Smith (#190 – Leeton Dianas) – 16 caps
  13. Georgina Friedrichs (#178 – Wests Bulldogs) – 27 caps
  14. Maya Stewart (#196 – Nelson Bay Gropers) – 14 caps
  15. Caitlyn Halse (#210 – Southern Districts) – 4 caps

Replacements

  1. Tiarna Molloy (#191 – Inverell Highlanders) – 5 caps
  2. Lydia Kavoa (#214 – Eastern Suburbs) – 4 caps
  3. Allana Sikimeti (#212 – Norths Eagles) – 2 caps
  4. Atasi Lafai (#161 – Campbelltown Harlequins) – 16 caps
  5. Lucy Dinnen (#216 – Wanneroo) – 3 caps
  6. Samantha Wood (Kalamunda District) – 3 caps
  7. Trilleen Pomare (#155 – Wanneroo) – 31 caps
  8. Lori Cramer (#172 – University of Queensland) – 25 caps

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I
IkeaBoy 3 hours ago
Why Les Kiss and Stuart Lancaster can lead Australia to glory

“Why are you so insistent on being wrong? Man United won in 2008 (beating Chelsea in the final). In 2009 Barcelona won, beating United.”

Good lad, just checking. So you’re not a bot! Chelsea bombed the 2008 final more than United won it. John Terry… couldn’t happen to a nicer fella.


“The gap between wins ignores the finals contested. 2 in 2 years with his City Triumph. The most recent put him in the elite company of managers to have won it with multiple clubs. Yet more late career success and history.”

Again - you’re not correct. City won the CL in 2023, and made the final in 2021. Those are the only two CL finals they have made.”

So the difference between 2021 and 2023 would of course be TWO YEARS. 24 months would account for 3 different seasons. They contested ECL finals twice in two years. The first in 2021 - which they lost - was still the first elite European final in the clubs then 141 year history. Explain clearly how that’s not an achievement? Guess what age he was then…


“I think your take on Gatland is pretty silly. Gatland was without Edwards in the 2013 and 2017 Lions tours and managed to do alright.”

I thought you don’t care what certain managers did 10 years ago…

Why would I address Eddie Jones? Why would he be deserving of a single sentence?


“I am aware Les Kiss has achieved great things in his career, but I don’t care what he did over ten years ago. Rugby was a different sport back then.”

So you haven’t watched even a minute of Super Rugby this year?


“lol u really need to chill out”

Simply frightful! If you’re not a bot you’re at least Gen-Z?

171 Go to comments
f
fl 3 hours ago
Why Les Kiss and Stuart Lancaster can lead Australia to glory

“Pep didn’t win the ECL in 2009. It was 2008 with Barca”

Why are you so insistent on being wrong? Man United won in 2008 (beating Chelsea in the final). In 2009 Barcelona won, beating United.


“The gap between wins ignores the finals contested. 2 in 2 years with his City Triumph. The most recent put him in the elite company of managers to have won it with multiple clubs. Yet more late career success and history.”

Again - you’re not correct. City won the CL in 2023, and made the final in 2021. Those are the only two CL finals they have made. With Barcelona, Pep made the semi final four consecutive times - with City he’s managed only 3 in 8 years. This year they didn’t even make the round of 16.


To re-cap, you wrote that Pep “has gotten better with age. By every measure.” There are some measures that support what you’re saying, but the vast majority of the measures that you have highlighted actually show the opposite.


I am aware Les Kiss has achieved great things in his career, but I don’t care what he did over ten years ago. Rugby was a different sport back then.


I think your take on Gatland is pretty silly. Gatland was without Edwards in the 2013 and 2017 Lions tours and managed to do alright. You’ve also not addressed Eddie Jones.


I agree wrt Schmidt. He would ideally be retained, but it wouldn’t work to have a remote head coach. He should definitely be hired as a consultant/analyst/selector though.


“Look at the talent that would be discarded in Schmidt and Kiss if your age Nazism was applied.”

lol u really need to chill out lad. Kiss and Schmidt would both be great members of the coaching set up in 2025, but it would be ridiculous to bank on either to retain the head coach role until 2031.

171 Go to comments
I
IkeaBoy 4 hours ago
Why Les Kiss and Stuart Lancaster can lead Australia to glory

Pep didn’t win the ECL in 2009. It was 2008 with Barca. The gap between wins ignores the finals contested. 2 in 2 years with his City Triumph. The most recent put him in the elite company of managers to have won it with multiple clubs. Yet more late career success and history.


His time with City - a lower win ratio compared to Bayern Munich as you say - includes a 100 PT season. A feat that will likely never be surpassed. I appreciate you don’t follow soccer too closely but even casual fans refer to the sport in ‘pre and post Pep’ terms and all because of what he has achieved and is continuing to achieve, late career. There is a reason that even U10’s play out from the back now at every level of the game. That’s also a fairly recent development.


How refreshing to return to rugby on a rugby forum.


Ireland won a long over due slam in 2009. The last embers of a golden generation was kicked on by a handful of young new players and a new senior coach. Kiss was brought in as defence coach and was the reason they won it. They’d the best defence in the game at the time. He all but invented the choke tackle. Fittingly they backed it up in the next world cup in their 2011 pool match against… Australia. The instantly iconic image of Will Genia getting rag-dolled by Stephen Ferris.


His career since has even included director of rugby positions. He would have an extremely good idea of where the game is at and where it is going in addition to governance experience and dealings. Not least in Oz were many of the players will have come via or across Rugby League pathways.


Gatland isn’t a valid coach to compare too. He only ever over-achieved and was barely schools level without Shaun Edwards at club or test level. His return to Wales simply exposed his limitations and a chaotic union. It wasn’t age.


Schmidt is open to staying involved in a remote capacity which I think deserves more attention. It would be a brain drain to lose him. He stepped in to coach the ABs in the first 2022 test against Ireland when Foster was laid out with Covid. They mullered Ireland 42-19. He was still heavily involved in the RWC 2023 quarter final. Same story.


Look at the talent that would be discarded in Schmidt and Kiss if your age Nazism was applied.

171 Go to comments
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