Wallaroos skipper Parry retires on a winning note
The Wallaroos sent captain Shannon Parry into retirement on a successful note, charging to a 22-5 win over Fijiana in the women’s rugby Test at Sydney’s Allianz Stadium.
Winger Maya Stewart scored two tries, and outstanding flanker and player of the match Ashley Marsters was involved in setting up all four of their five-pointers as the home team proved too clinical for their opposition.
Australia scored the first three tries and 17 points of the game, but made a number of desperate last-ditch tackles before a spell of Fijiana pressure was rewarded with their sole five-pointer in the 60th minute.
Flanker Parry, who was part of four Australian World Cup squads and also the gold-medal winning 2016 Olympics sevens team, earlier this week announced she would be retiring after Saturday’s game, her 24th Test.
“‘It was a nice way to finish the career on a positive note, but I think the team really put in a good effort there tonight,” Parry said.
“We were challenged a lot by Fiji in various parts of the game, I really thought we scrambled well and really hung in the fight.”
“It’s been a long career but I’ve loved every minute of it.”
Marsters showed the depth of Australia’s back row stocks with a commanding. performance.
“She just loves playing rugby, you can. see her skill set,” Wallaroos coach Jay Tregonning said Marsters, who he had also seen play on the wing and halfback.
Australia took just five minutes to hit the front with inside centre Cecilia Smith crossing for a try.
Quickly recycling following a big run from Marsters deep into Fijiiana territory, halfback Layne Morgan got the ball to Smith who slipped through a gap to score.
The home team doubled their advantage in the 19th minute with a devastating counterattack after they turned over the ball in Fijiana territory.
Two debutantes, five-eighth Carys Dallinger and teenage fullback Faitala Molokai, handled before Marsters threw the final fine pass to winger Maya Stewart.
Fijiana gave their always colourful and enthusiastic supporters some moments of cheer with some powerful runs, offloads and support play, but were held pointless through the first half, which finished with Australia leading 10-0.
The ubiquitous Marsters notched another assist when she sent Stewart flying over the line for her second try five minutes into the second half.
Fijiana then had their best part of the match, with two players held up over the line and Australia forced to defend until replacement front rower Bitila Tawake barged over on the hour.
Australia reasserted themselves and another strong passage of play ended with Marsters throwing the pass to winger Ivania Wong for the home team’s fourth try.
“I thought the whole team put in an awesome performance,” Tregonning said.
“The defence was massive. To keep a side like Fiji to five points with their entertaining unpredictability was pretty special for the group.”
Comments on RugbyPass
Why do people keep on picking Ardie at 7 when he's a ball in hand 8? A modern 7 is the lead tackler and ruck clearer which isn't his strength.
14 Go to commentsSly dig there at Ireland’s propensity to back a non-Irish coach. Must really want it. I’m not sure I like ROG very much. Comes off as unpleasant. But he’d gain my respect if he took a number 7 ranked team and turned them into WC winners. Not even back-to-back. Argentina? Scotland? Or how about Wales? France would be too easy, no?
1 Go to commentsA bit of sensationalism, but surprised by the comments about SBW. I’ve always thought of him as a pretty authentic person. There is nothing worse than working with a colleague you’ve seen straight through.
9 Go to comments100% agree with your comment about Touch. I’ve been playing it competitively since Covid. It’s on a Wednesday night after work. It means the weekend is free for time with my family.
1 Go to commentsRodda back is massively important for the Wallabies. Kaitu at hooker important too coz he was very good a few years ago.
1 Go to commentsThe pink cabous might be eligible this year and the Boks don’t need him
7 Go to commentsNasser and kaitu are options for hooker. Especially Nasser. You forgot Rodda who touch wood will be fit at test time and if fit he’s number one. Great partner for the great Skelton and Oz best lineout caller. Third best lock is LSL whom I’d be inclined to sub on for Skelton around 60 minutes. Probably start valetini at 8 because I like a big body back there. Cale should play 6 at the brumbies. For Wallabies definitely cale in the squad but as an apprentice. Dunno who starts at 6 seru wright Swinton hanigan with Will Harris and Harry Wilson not far away. Seru and Swinton my front runners but Swinton is going. Still if we don’t cap seru then Fiji must coz they need his lineout skills and easily compensate for his lack of weight
7 Go to commentsYeah but who was it?
9 Go to commentsThink you might have written this just before the Brumbies got thrashed last weekend
7 Go to commentsI really do believe that Billy Proctor should be selected at least in the larger squad but also it would be my choice at 13, much more a center than Ioane who can still play at wing. Roigard if fit should play, otherwise it should be Perenara or Christie. Also, Iose could deserve a spot at blindside. Of course, being a Canes supporter I’m biased but I really believe that at least Billy P is deserving a chance and being Holland one of the Selectors, I’m having a little hope he could grab it.
14 Go to commentsI would not play Swinton I’d pick Wright or Hanigan. The rest are decent starters, but can’t agree on any subs except Tupou. My take on the subs: Gibbon, Ueslese, Tupou, LSL, Wilson, White, Will Harrison, and Petaia.
7 Go to commentsSBW the biggest moron to pull on a black jersey a park footy player at best
9 Go to commentsSBW is fast becoming a laughing stock, his misplaced comments & lack of insight Is actually pretty sad.
9 Go to commentsJust well you guys are couch 🛋 potatoes selector's, picking a team of greenhorns to play England! “What are you people smoking?” The halfbacks will be Christie, Fakatava, Perenara Props; Newell, Bower, Lomax, Tunga'fasi, Hookers; Asosa Amua when fit, Taylor, Samisoni,
14 Go to commentsQuite frankly, all this is a bit pathetic. The first time Wales get the Wooden Spoon in 21 years and everyone is on the bandwagon for a ‘play-off’ game. Wales have no obligation to Georgia and no obligation to the rest of the Six Nations to play such a game. If they want Georgia in so badly then they need to include South Africa into a Northern Hemisphere competition with 2 leagues of 4 teams with the top 2 competing for the Championship. Sadly, this will end Triple Crowns and Grand Slams forever. Is this really what you want?
4 Go to commentsI think Finau to start Blackadder to come on. Poss Prokter instead of Ioane, haven't seen much from Reiko so far this year.
14 Go to commentsJoe will have had a good chat with Dave Rennie, a smart move to begin with while it’s doubtful Fast Eddie will be consulted? Plenty of Aus players hitting top form so they should go OK.
7 Go to commentsMmm. Not sure I like this article or see it as necessary.
9 Go to commentsBlackadder but no Finau! 😀 It’s Razor so you are probably right, plus Taylor at 2…
14 Go to commentsThe strongest possible AB side would actually include Aaron Smith, Bodie Retallick, Sam Whitelock, Leicester Fainga'anuku, Shannon Frizzel.. don’t get me started on the rest of the injury hit brigade that got flung on the heap so left. Many a whole not getting filled as of yet.
14 Go to comments