Watch: Lily Gillett makes Australia NextGen U21 history in New Zealand

NSW Waratahs and Warringah Rats winger Lily Gillett made history in Christchurch on Saturday evening, becoming the first player to score a try for Australia NextGen U21. Gillett’s try levelled a clash with New Zealand U21 at 5-all, before the hosts ran out 43-10 victors.

Rugby Australia unveiled an inaugural 35-player NextGen squad on October 12, with a number of Wallaroos named. Coach Iliseva Batibasaga had the likes of Faitala Moleka, Waiaria Ellis, Piper Simons and Amelia Whitaker to call upon for the clash with the New Zealanders.

Moleka was crowned the Wallaroos Player of the Year just last week at the annual Rugby Australia Awards, and had been named the NextGen co-captain earlier that same day. Ellis and Moleka formed the 10-15 combination, just as they had for the Wallaroos against Scotland.

Anahera Hamahona captained the New Zealand side, while centres Ella Henderson and Naomi Sopoaga shared vice-captain duties. Henderson broke through a couple of tackle attempts to score the first try of the match about four minutes in.

New Zealand held that five-point lead for the next 10 minutes, before the Aussie backs executed a set-piece play off a scrum. Simons sent the ball right to left, with the women in gold spreading the ball through the hands towards the left sideline.

Whitaker delivered the final pass to Gillett, who beat a couple of New Zealanders in a short race for the try line. Whitaker and Simons were the first two over to the try-scorer, as the team briefly celebrated the historic score.

 

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But two quick tries to winger Lialanie Muamua and a charge down from tighthead Amber Mundell saw New Zealand race out to a 24-5 lead before the half. Sariyah Paitai was first to strike in the second term, before Henderson delivered a pinpoint cut-out ball to Presayus Singh for another try.

New Zealand had taken control 36-5 but Australia continued to fight until the final bell, with capped Wallaroo and NextGen co-captain Ruby Anderson setting up Gillett for another. Anderson got an offload off to the No. 11, who crossed with about 11 minutes left.

Keira Su’a-Smith had the final try-scoring say of the contest, with the replacement kicking the ball ahead and beating Ellis to the loose ball. Australia had the ball inside the opposition 22 in the final play of the match, but a knock-on brought an end to the contest.

“I came out of the Wallaroos space but it wasn’t about me, it was all about the occasion that I was able to be a part of and I’m so privileged and honoured to be a part of that,” Moleka said post-game on the Sky Sport broadcast.

“To co-captain with my good friend Ruby, it’s something that us girls as a whole didn’t take lightly. It starts here… I know we didn’t show the talent and the potential these young girls have on the field but if we just keep on investing in that space and in grassroots, I’m sure in years to come, 2029 [World Cup] at home, I can tell you definitely that these girls will be fighting for a spot there.

“It’s an absolute honour and a privilege to be here, even in this stadium as well.”

Australia NextGen U21 that played New Zealand U21

1. Fa’alagilagi Faimasui Brown (NSW Waratahs/Hunter Wildfires)
2. Millie Parker (ACT Brumbies/Avoca Beach Rugby)
3. Allana Sikimeti (Western Force/Norths Eagles)
4. Lola Harvison (NSW Waratahs/Lindfield Rugby)
5. Indya McWilliam (Queensland Reds/Coomera Crushers)
6. Ruby Anderson (c) (NSW Waratahs/Avoca Beach Rugby)
7. Lily Bone (ACT Brumbies/Orange City)
8. Sophia Wilson (NSW Waratahs/Randwick Rugby)
9. Piper Simons (NSW Waratahs/Gordon Rugby)
10. Waiaria Ellis (NSW Waratahs/Blacktown Scorpions)
11. Lily Gillett (NSW Waratahs/Warringah Rats)
12. Ava Wereta (Queensland Reds/Coomera Crushers)
13. Lusiana Vesikula (NSW Waratahs/Oatley Rugby)
14. Amelia Whitaker (NSW Waratahs/Randwick Rugby)
15. Faitala Moleka (c) (ACT Brumbies/Blacktown Scorpions)

Replacements

16. Siusiuosalafai Volkman (NSW Waratahs/Sydney University)
17. Keira MacAskill (Western Force/Wests Scarborough)
18. Angela Littler (NSW Waratahs/Mudgee Wombats)
19. Sofaia Talemaira (Western Force/Wanneroo Rugby Club)
20. Fa’agase Tupuola-Palale (Queensland Reds/Bond Pirates)
21. Maronay Smuts (ACT Brumbies/Uni-North Owls)
22. Georgie Hayes (ACT Brumbies/Wagga Crows)
23. Sonrae Lui (ACT Brumbies/Canberra Royals)