Latest on injured captain as Australia make four changes for USA

Coach Jo Yapp has made four changes to the Wallaroos side that defeated Samoa by a record 73-point margin, but this doesn’t include the return of injured captain Siokapesi Palu, who will miss the team’s crucial clash with the USA on Saturday.

Palu suffered a foot injury during a loss to the Black Ferns in Wellington ahead of the Women’s Rugby World Cup. While the skipper was later named in the squad for the tournament in England, she did not take the field against Samoa but is nearing a return.

Piper Duck, Emily Chancellor and Tabua Tuinakauvadra formed a stellar loose forwards trio in the dominant win at Salford Community Stadium, with Chancellor leading by example as a co-captain with 27 tackles.

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Those three will combine once again on Saturday, in a Test that’s been built up as practically a knockout match for both sides. If the Australians beat the USA, and England get the job done against Samoa, then the two victors will qualify for the quarter-finals.

Yapp has called the experienced quartet of Tania Naden, Lydia Kavoa, Annabelle Codey and Trilleen Pomare into the matchday 23. Naden starts at hooker in place of Katalina Amosa, who drops to the bench, while Adiana Talakai makes way completely.

The other three personnel changes are on the bench, with Kavoa providing cover for the front row along with Amosa and Eva Karpani. Codey and Pomare also players to watch, with Pomare boasting 40 Tests of experience already.

Bridie O’Gorman starts at tighthead prop and Faliki Pohiva on the other side at loosehead. Michaela Leonard will earn her 40^th Test appearance in this match, joining team co-captain Kaitlan Leaney in the second row.

Samantha Wood starts again at scrum-half ahead of Layne Morgan. Wood will link up with Faitala Moleka in the halves, while Cecilia Smith will be raring to go after a Player of the Match performance against Samoa – joining Georgina Friedrichs in the midfield.

Desiree Miller has been cleared to play and starts on the left wing – fresh off a hat-trick to start the World Cup campaign – with Maya Stewart on the right, and 18-year-old phenomenon Caitlyn Halse at fullback.

“Overall we were pleased with our performance against Samoa last week but in the context of our campaign, we know the match coming up is a big one for us,” Yapp said in a statement.

“The USA will be physical and we’ll need to match that. We have been happy with how we’ve trained this week and we are excited for the challenge on Saturday.”

The Wallaroos defeated the USA Women’s Eagles 27-19 at Canberra’s GIO Stadium in May. In total, the Australians have played nine Tests against the Americans since 1997, winning three of those meetings.

Head-to-Head

Last 5 Meetings

Wins

2

Draws

1

Wins

2

Average Points scored

26

31

First try wins

20%

Home team wins

60%

Australia team to take on USA at Women’s Rugby World Cup

1. Faliki Pohiva (#219 – Blacktown Scorpions) – 5 caps

2. Tania Naden (#197 – Uni-North Owls) – 25 caps

3. Bridie O’Gorman (#180 – Sydney University) – 34 caps

4. Kaitlan Leaney (c) (#179 – SCU Marlins) – 32 caps

5. Michaela Leonard (#168 – Tuggeranong Vikings) – 39 caps

6. Piper Duck (#185 – Tumut Bullettes) – 19 caps

7. Emily Chancellor (c) (#158 – Sydney University) – 31 caps

8. Tabua Tuinakauvadra (#200 – Orange Emus) – 19 caps

9. Samantha Wood (#207 – Kalamunda Rugby) – 8 caps

10. Faitala Moleka (#199 – Blacktown Scorpions) – 23 caps

11. Desiree Miller (#204 – Eastern Suburbs) – 20 caps

12. Cecilia Smith (#190 – Leeton Dianas) – 25 caps

13. Georgina Friedrichs (#178 – Wests Bulldogs) – 35 caps

14. Maya Stewart (#196 – Nelson Bay Gropers) – 19 caps

15. Caitlyn Halse (#210 – Camden Rams) – 12 caps

Reserves

16. Katalina Amosa (#218 – Southern Districts) – 7 caps

17. Lydia Kavoa (#214 – Eastern Suburbs) – 9 caps

18. Asoiva Karpani (#171 – Southern Suburbs) – 38 cap

19. Annabelle Codey (#189 – Easts Brisbane) – 7 caps

20. Ashley Marsters (#117 – Boroondara) – 42 caps

21. Layne Morgan (#188 – Merewether Carlton) – 37 caps

22. Trilleen Pomare (#155 – Wanneroo) – 40 caps

23. Tia Hinds (#222 – Randwick) – 7 caps