With such a short competition, this weekend it is not just team success on the line – but players putting up their hand up for Wallaroo selection.
For some, this may be their last chance to show their wares and convince Wallaroos coach Jo Yapp they should at least be in the train-on squad.
So, who is in the frame?
Queensland Reds vs Fijian Drua
No surprise a lot of eyes will be on this game, particularly when a certain Charlotte Caslick starts her third match for the Reds. But this game, like many Fijian Drua games, has more questions than answers.
Which Drua will be on display?
The Fijian Drua has eight starting changes from their last game against the Force, including the loss of their captain. Such changes could be a nightmare, cohesion-wise. But on the flip side, 12 of the starters were in the side that defeated the Waratahs in round one.
In summary, we have no idea how they are going to perform, and that’s even before we get to the media reports that the Drua Chief Executive was not happy with the travel schedule.
Charlotte Caslick. (Photo by Mark Metcalfe/Getty Images)
By comparison, the Reds are looking consistent in performance and selection.
The same Wallaroos front row has been selected in every game, and any front row that has Eva Karpani has danger written all over it. It is a very hard-working and industrious back row with co-captain Jemma Bemrose leading. There is no surprise to see lock Veneta Teutau starting again, following her big game against the Force last week.
The Reds backline is now very settled for the third straight game, with Lori Cramer again at 10. The battle between Shalom Sauaso and Drua backline should be a physical encounter – she is a quality player, but who has gone under the radar is her running mate, Faythe Manera.
While all the talk has been about the other rugby sevens players coming across, it is worth noting she was in the Sevens program and made the switch to 15s this year.
On paper, the Reds should win this – given the form this season and the home-field advantage – but rugby is not won on paper, and the Drua is a different prospect in knock-out rugby.
NSW Waratahs vs Western Force
Arguably, in the context of the national season this will be the battle of the forwards – not the tight five, but the back five – the locks and back row.
The last meeting of these two teams went down to the last five minutes – with the Waratahs getting the win. In that game, the Force back row of Tamika Jones, Pia Tapsell and Ash Marsters was impressive, their physicality immense.
It is worth noting that the game had no Wallaroo captain Michaela Leonard – however, she will be back for this match.
Leonard and Sera Naiqama are up against Kaitlan Leaney and Annabelle Codey – not just around the park but the lineouts.
With Wallaroo selection, Codey and Naiqama will be pushing to get into the train-on squad, given this is one of the areas the Wallaroos have the most amount of depth.
In the back row, the Tahs match up a bit differently to the Force with Leilani Nathan, Emily Chancellor and Piper Duck all back, making the ruck contest likely the key battleground of this match. Chancellor and Duck have points to prove after missing last season’s successful WXV2 South African tour with injury – to get back onto Jo Yapp’s radar warrants a strong performance against several stars who were part of that tour.
All up, the Waratahs probably have the edge because of their front row, which includes new tighthead sensation Faliki Pohiva – and the Force are also down some personnel, missing Wallaroo loosehead Allana Sikimeti.
But while Pohiva has been turning heads, one of the less-celebrated stars from this season has been the Force’s tighthead Braxton Walker. She has started every game and will again give Bridie O’Gorman a hard time in the scrums. The bench replacements significantly elevated the contest.
Of most interest will be how much time Caitlyn Halse gets off the bench. It is odd to say it considering her youth, but the 18-year-old has been a missing ingredient for the Waratahs backline, which has not been scoring like last season.
Caitlyn Halse. (Photo by Quinn Rooney/Getty Images)
The Force backline has not had quite the same selection consistency, partly due to injuries. The big out is flyhalf Grace Freeman – and while her replacement Nicole Ledington is a good player, she hasn’t delivered the same control or boot as Freeman so far.
Halfback Georgia Cormick is back coming off the bench, adding some key experience. But even with a the injury concerns, the Tahs won’t be underestimating the experienced centre combination of Cecilia Smith and Trilleen Pomare – they have not put in a poor performance this season.
The game should be very competitive. The Force will be desperate to win and make history, but the Waratahs are the defending champions and still hold an unbeaten record against Australian sides for a reason.
Hugh_96https://ift.tt/v2jTieU Rugby Women’s Preview: Pointy end of season sees last chance for Wallaroo bolters
إرسال تعليق