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NZ-born flyhalf Carys Dallinger set for Wallaroos debut against Fiji
New Zealander Carys Dallinger will don Wallaroos gold for the first time on Saturday when Australia host Fiji at Sydney’s Allianz Stadium.
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In the Wallaroos’ first Test match of 2023, head coach Jay Tregonning has named four debutants in his matchday 23 to take on the Fijiana.
Along with Dallinger – who, as previously reported, once dreamt of playing for the Black Ferns – Brumbies outside back Faitala Moleka will debut in the No. 15 jersey.
Brumbies duo Tabua Tuinakauvadra and Jasmin Huriwai will also debut for the Australian national team should they come off the bench.
Prop Bree-Anna Cheatham will pack down in the starting front-row alongside Waratahs pair Adiana Talakai and Eva Karpani.
Michaela Leonard has been named at lock, and is the sole representative from the Western Force in the matchday 23. Leonard will combine with Annabelle Codey in the second row.
Melbourne Rebels Super W captain Ashley Marsters will start at blindside flanker, while retiring captain Shannon Parry and Grace Hamilton complete the loose forward trio.
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Ahead of her final Test match in Wallaroos gold, captain Shannon Parry described the occasion as “bittersweet.”
“It’ been a bittersweet mix of emotions, working towards my final Test match,” Parry said in a statement.
“I’m welcoming the opportunity or lead out the Wallaroos one lats time – I’m glad the match is on home soil, where I can mark this occasion with my partner, family and friends.
“Going up against Fijiana is always a physical contest, but we’ve been preparing for that and we’re all working toward the same goal for this weekend.
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“The girls can’t wait to rip in and kick off the 2023 season with a strong performance.”
Waratahs halfback Layne Morgan will link up with Carys Dallinger in the halves, as they look to provide quality ball for a star-studded backline.
Winger Ivania Wong and Maya Stewart have speed to burn, with both players showcasing their try-scoring ability during impressive Super W campaigns this year.
Cecilia Smith and Georgina Friedrichs will combine in the midfield, while debutant Faitala Moleka will start out the back.
“The coaching staff and I have been impressed by the standard set at our first camp of the year,” head coach Jay Tregonning said.
“There was fierce competition for each spot, and the girls worked hard to earn their places in the starting XV.
“There’s a good mix of emerging and established talent in the team, and I’m looking forward to Saturday’s contest.”
The match is set to get underway at 5.00pm AEST on Saturday at Sydney’s Allianz Stadium.
Wallaroos team to take on Fiji
- Bree-Anna Cheatham
- Adiana Talakai
- Eva Karpani
- Michaela Leonard
- Annabelle Codey
- Ashley Marsters
- Shannon Parry (c)
- Grace Hamilton
- Layne Morgan
- Carys Dallinger
- Ivania Wong
- Cecilia Smith
- Georgina Friedrichs
- Maya Stewart
- Faitala Moleka
Replacements:
- Tania Naden
- Emily Robinson
- Bridie O’Gorman
- Sera Naiqama
- Tabua Tuinakauvadra
- Jasmin Huriwai
- Siokapesi Palu
- Alana Elisaia
Comments on RugbyPass
Bar the injuries, it’s pretty much their top team …
2 Go to commentsDon’t disagree with much of this but it appears you forgot Rodda and Beale, who started at the Force on the weekend.
9 Go to commentsExcept for the injured Zach Gallagher this would be Saders best forward pack for the season. Blackadder needs to stay at 7, for all of Christies tackling he is not dominant and offers very little else. McNicholfullback is maybe a good option, Fihaki not really upto it, there was a reason Burke played there last year. Maybe Havilli to 2nd five McLeod to wing. Need a strong winger on 1 side to compliment Reece
1 Go to commentsTo me TJ is clearly the best 9 in the competition right now but he's also a proven player off the bench, there's few playmaking players who can come off the bench as calm and settled as he is, Beauden can, TJ can and I doubt any of the scrumhalves in contention can, if they want to experiment with new 9s I want him on the bench ready to step in if they crumble under the pressure. The Boks put their best front row on the bench, I'd like to see us take a similar approach, the Hurricanes have been doing similar things with players like Kirifi.
35 Go to commentsROG has better chance to win a WC if he starts training and make himself eligible as a player. He won’t make the Ireland squad but I reckon he may get close with Namibia (needs to improve his Afrikaans) or Portugal. Both sides had 1000:1 odds to win the RWC in 2023 which is an improvement on ROG’s odds of winning a RWC as a coach. Unlike Top 14 teams, national teams can’t go shopping and buy the best players - you work with the available talent pool and turn them into world beaters.
2 Go to commentsthat backline nope that backline is terrible why would you have sevu Reece when he’s not even top 5 wingers in the comp why have Blackadder when there’s better players no Scott barret isn’t an automatic the guy is more of a liability than anything why have him there when you have samipeni who’s far far better
35 Go to commentsAh, good to find you Nick. Agree with everything about Cale. So much to like about his game
49 Go to commentsNot too bad. Questions at 6, lock and HB for me. The ABs will be a lot stronger once Jordan and Roigard return. Also, work needs to be made to secure Frizzell back for next season and maybe also Mo’unga; they’re just wasting time playing in japan
35 Go to commentsOn the title, i wonder for many of those people it is a case something like a belief in working smarter, not harder?
1 Go to commentsForget Sotutu. One of those whose top level is Super Rugby. Id take a punt on Wallace Sititi Finau ahead of Glass body Blackadder.
35 Go to commentsI’m a pensioner so I've been around a bit. My opinion of SBW is he is an elite athlete and a great New Zealander and roll model. He has been to the top and knows what he's talking about. To all the negative comments regarding SBW the typical New Zealand way, cut that tall poppy down.
17 Go to commentsI'm not listening to a guy moralise over others when this is the guy who walked out mid season on Canterbury RLFC when he had a contract with them, what a hypocrite. All the Kiwis sticking up for this unprincipled individual because they can't accept justified criticism, he has zero credibility or integrity. Those praising him are a joke.
17 Go to commentsI’d put Finau at 6 instead of Blackadder but that’s the only change I’d make. Can’t wait to see who Razor picks.
35 Go to commentsTamati Williams, Codie Taylor, and Same Cane? Not sure about Hoskins Sotutu at test level. Wasn’t that impressive last season. Need a balance between experience and talent/youth.
35 Go to commentsInteresting insight. Fantastic athlete, and a genuine human being.
17 Go to commentsThey played at night in Suva last weekend and it’s an afternoon game forecast for 19 degrees in Canberra this weekend. Heat change is a non issue.
2 Go to commentsWishing Rosie a speedy recovery
1 Go to commentsObscene that SA haven’t been knocking
1 Go to commentsChances of Blackadder being injured seem too high to give him serious consideration. ABs loosie combination finally looked good with 2 committed to tackling and clearing rucks in the centre and Ardie roaming. Hoskins/Ardie together would force one of them into where they don’t excel and don’t get to use their talent, or require a change in tactics. If we continue to evolve last years systems I would take Papali’i and Finau at 6 and 7 (conceding that Blackadder will be injured) and Ardie at 8.
35 Go to commentsArdie’s preferred position 7? Where do they get these writers from? I've no idea where he's playing in Japan, but the previous two seasons he wore the 7 jersey exactly twice.
17 Go to comments