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Coach Jo Yapp names four debutants in Wallaroos side to play Fijiana

Biola Dawa of the Brumbies scores during the Super Rugby Women's Semi Final match between NSW Waratahs and ACT Brumbies at Allianz Stadium on April 19, 2024 in Sydney, Australia. (Photo by Jason McCawley/Getty Images)

Australia coach Jo Yapp has named four debutants in the Wallaroos’ side ahead of their upcoming Test against Fiji at Sydney’s Allianz Stadium on Saturday.

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The Wallaroos are looking to bounce back from a winless run in World Rugby’s Pacific Four Series when they run out in front of their home fans for the third time this season.

Coach Yapp has named Biola Dawa in the starting side for what will be the ACT Brumbies speedster’s Test debut. Allana Sikimeti, Lydia Kavoa and Natalie Wright and also in line for their first taste of Wallaroos rugby after being selected on the bench.

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This Australian outfit certainly packs a punch with Western Force and Wallaroos skipper Michaela Leonard set to pack down alongside the likes of Piper Duck, Kaitlan Leaney and Evan Karpani.

Karpani and Arabella McKenzie will both bring up milestone appearances when they represent Australia for the 25th time.

“It’s been nice to be back in Sydney and the players are working hard to put in a good performance against Fiji on Saturday,” coach Jo Yapp said in a statement.

“Our team has been building well and we are looking forward to seeing how they go.

“We have four debutants and I’d like to congratulate Allana, Biola, Lydia and Nat on selection ahead of their first Test caps, and Eva and Arabella on their pending milestones.

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“Maya Stewart and Ashley Marsters are both unavailable due to injury.”

Brianna Hoy, Tania Naden and Eva Karpani will pack down in the front row, while captain Michaela Leonard and Kaitlan Leaney will combine as the two locks.

Rounding out the forward pack is the formidable backrow trio of Atasi Lafai, openside flanker Leilani Nathan and 13-Test enforcer Piper Duck.

The experienced halves pairing of Layne Morgan and Arabella McKenzie will combine once again this weekend. McKenzie was a shining light for the Aussies last time out when they were beaten by arch-rivals New Zealand on Auckland’s North Shore.

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Cecila Smith and Georgia Friedrichs make up a familiar midfield, while the outside back trio consists of NSW Waratahs winger Desiree Miller, debutant Biola Dawa and experienced fullback Lori Cramer.

This Test is part of a double header with the Wallabies’ clash with Wales.

Fans of the Wallaroos can watch this clash, which is scheduled to get underway at 4:45 pm AEST, on Stan Sport.

Wallaroos team to take on Fijiana

  1. Brianna Hoy
  2. Tania Naden
  3. Eva Karpani
  4. Michaela Leonard (c)
  5. Kaitlan Leaney
  6. Atasi Lafai
  7. Leilani Nathan
  8. Piper Duck
  9. Layne Morgan
  10. Arabella McKenzie
  11. Desiree McKenzie
  12. Cecilia Smith
  13. Georgina Friedrichs
  14. Biola Dawa*
  15. Lori Cramer

Replacements

  1. Tiarna Molloy
  2. Allana Sikimeti*
  3. Bridie O’Gorman
  4. Siokapesi Palu
  5. Lydia Kavoa*
  6. Natalie Wright*
  7. Trilleen Pomare
  8. Faitala Moleka

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f
fl 4 minutes ago
Why Les Kiss and Stuart Lancaster can lead Australia to glory

“Two comparable achievements 15 years apart (at different clubs in different leagues) represent failure and not continued success for an elite level coach/manager? Not even a hint of consistency? Just gradual, inevitable decline? And all because he is in his sixth decade?”

Why don’t you try reading what I wrote before you start inventing a load of other random things that I didn’t say. I said “Pep hasn’t gotten better with age”. He hasn’t. I don’t think he’s got much worse, and yeah, he’s been fairly consistent over his career and has had more success than almost any other coach. But he hasn’t gotten better.


“You’ve missed that Mourinho’s early start in football was as a translator for Bobby Robson (ironically a much older manager at the time!).”

I was actually aware of that. I didn’t mention it because it wasn’t relevant to the fact that Mourinho - aged 52 - had more experience than Arteta does at 43. It also isn’t ironic that Bobby Robson was a much older manager at the time - it actually confirms by point that a lot of the top football managers used to be older than they are today.


“You suggested that Les Kiss would not be suited to an international coaching role because of his age profile…that seemed to relate to rugby”

That did relate to rugby. Let me walk you through the thread…


NB suggested that Les Kiss should become Australia head coach in 2027.

I said: “Given the drop off so many top coaches seem to experience as they get older (e.g. Jones, Gatland) Kiss could be a riskier appointment than you’d think!”

NB said: “Drawing a parallel with the NFL and NBA, plenty of coaches stay well into their 70’s”

I said: “Not all sports are going the same way though” then gave the example of football.


The example of football was introduced in order to make the point that the age profile of managers is not the same in every sport. If you had read the thread you were replying to you would know this!

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