They were too good for the USA, but that hasn’t stopped Jo Yapp from experimenting ahead of the Wallaroos’ final Pacific Four Series clash against Canada.
Yapp has made four changes to the starting XV and five position changes from the side that beat the USA 27-19, including a front-row.
The former England captain has also made a huge change to the midfield, moving Australian sevens queen Charlotte Caslick off the wing to inside centre.
Yapp has also named a forwards heavy six-two bench split, with fellow sevens star Tia Hinds to cover several roles in the backline as the Wallabies prepare for a giant physical assault from Canada.
Charlotte Caslick has been shifted to the midfield against Canada after playing in the outside backs in her opening three Tests for the Wallaroos. (Photo by Mark Evans/Getty Images)
The Canadians last week showed they are one of the teams to beat at this year’s World Cup by drawing with the Black Ferns 27-all. It took a try in stoppage time to deny the North Americans a famous win on New Zealand soil.
Now the Wallaroos will face the in-form Canadians, who are second on the World Rugby rankings and will likely try to hammer their opponents where they are most vulnerable: up front.
Martha Fua, Katalina Amosa and Bridie O’Gorman form the new front-row, with Adiana Talakai, Bree-Anna Browne and Eva Karpani to offer some size and experience off the bench.
The rest of the pack remains the same, with Ashley Marsters once again named at openside flanker ahead of Emily Chancellor after her two-try effort last week. Ashley Fernandez, Chancellor and Ruby Anderson provide cover in the back five forwards off the bench.
Biola Dawa is the only new face in the backline, with the Brumbies flyer named in a back-three combination alongside Desiree Miller and Caitlyn Halse.
Jo Yapp is bracing for a physical assault up front. (Photo by Robbie Stephenson/Getty Images)
Caslick’s shift to the midfield see the sevens star move closer to the action, but it will also give Australia a strong on-ball threat to help slow Canada’s ruck speed.
“We had a pleasing win against the USA and with a short turnaround now we turn our attention to finishing the Pacific Four series well,” Yapp said.
“The past month has been about growth and we continue to give players opportunities through the last match now with the World Cup coming up.
“Adiana Talakai and Biola Dawa return for the first time this year and that’s exciting for them while Martha Fua, Tia Hinds and Ash Fernandez also get another opportunity this week.
“Canada are a strong side that will provide a physical challenge for us on Friday.”
WALLAROOS TEAM FOR CANADA TEST
1. Martha Fua (#223 – Blacktown Scorpions) – 2 caps
2. Katalina Amosa (#218 – Southern Districts) – 3 caps
3. Bridie O’Gorman (#180 – Sydney University) – 29 caps
4. Kaitlan Leaney (#179 – CSU Marlins) – 27 caps
5. Michaela Leonard (#168 – Tuggeranong Vikings) – 35 caps
6. Siokapesi Palu (c) (#194 – Rockdale Rangers) – 19 caps
7. Ashley Marsters (#117 – Boroondara) – 37 caps
8. Tabua Tuinakauvadra (#200 – Orange Emus) – 14 caps
9. Layne Morgan (#188 – Merewether Carlton) – 32 caps
10. Faitala Moleka (#199 – Blacktown Scorpions) – 19 caps
11. Desiree Miller (#204 – Eastern Suburbs) – 15 caps
12. Charlotte Caslick (#220 – Wests Bulldogs) – 3 caps
13. Georgina Friedrichs (#178 – Wests Bulldogs) – 31 caps
14. Biola Dawa (#211 – Wagga Reddies) – 3 caps
15. Caitlyn Halse (#210 – Camden Rams) – 8 caps
Reserves
16. Adiana Talakai (#182 – Sydney University) – 16 caps
17. Bree-Anna Browne (#193 – Brothers Rugby) – 11 caps
18. Asoiva (Eva) Karpani (#171 – Southern Suburbs) – 34 caps
19. Ashley Fernandez (#221 – Uni-North Owls) – 1 cap
20. Emily Chancellor (#158 – Sydney University) – 26 caps
21. Ruby Anderson (#224 – Avoca Beach Rugby) – 1 cap
22. Tia Hinds (#222 – Randwick) – 2 caps
23. Trilleen Pomare (#155 – Wanneroo) – 36 caps
Players unavailable for selection
- Piper Duck (shoulder)
- Brianna Hoy (knee)
- Lydia Kavoa (calf)
- Atasi Lafai (knee)
- Leilani Nathan (knee)
- Maya Stewart (knee)
- Bienne Terita (hamstring)
- Samantha Wood (back)
