The Wallaroos have been hit by injury ahead of Sunday’s Pacific Four Series Test against the United States in Auckland (10.15am kickoff AEST).
Hooker Adiana Talakai and winger Ivania Wong have been ruled out on the back of Monday’s 23-10 loss to New Zealand in Tauranga.
Ashley Marsters and Jemima McCalman come in to Australia’s XV, with Brumbies winger McCalman making her first Test start.
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Talakai’s knee injury, meanwhile, opens the door for Reds hooker Tiarna Molloy to make her Wallaroos debut from the bench.
“Despite the result, we were quite impressed with the team’s performance last week against New Zealand,” Wallaroos coach Jay Tregonning said.
“We’ve picked up a few bumps and bruises along the way – thankfully we can cover it with the depth we have in this current squad.
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“There are a few players that will now get the opportunity to make a mark straight from the kick off and I know they are extremely eager to make an impact and keep that starting jersey.”
USA were thrashed 36-5 in Monday’s tournament opener but Tregonning had plenty of respect for their ability.
“The United States have become a bit of a powerhouse in women’s rugby on the world stage and they are going to be a very tough opponent,” Tregonning said.
Sean Maloney and Andrew Mehrtens look back on the Super Rugby Pacific quarter finals and talk to departing Brumbies legend Scott Sio.
https://omny.fm/shows/between-two-posts-1/the-dirty-reds-and-the-slavic-league/embed?style=cover
“The only time the Wallaroos have beaten the USA was back in the 2002 Rugby World Cup in Barcelona so a bit of history is on the line for this one.”
New Zealand will take on Canada in the second game on Sunday.
Black Ferns coach Wayne Smith named two uncapped players with Amy du Plessis starting at centre and 18-year-old midfielder Sylvia Brunt named on the bench.
“Canada looked physical against the USA, they were explosive and we know they’ve had players added to their team this week from the English Premiership,” Smith said.
“It will certainly be another tough match, but that is where you learn and that’s exactly what we want.”
Canada is yet to beat New Zealand in 16 attempts.
WALLAROOS (15-1): Lori Cramer, Mahalia Murphy, Georgina Friedrichs, Pauline Piliae-Rasabale, Jemima McCalman, Trilleen Pomare, Iliseva Batibasaga, Grace Hamilton, Shannon Parry (c), Emily Chancellor, Kaitlan Leaney, Michaela Leonard, Bridie O’Gorman, Ashley Marsters, Liz Patu
Reserves: Tiarna Molloy, Madison Schuck, Asoiva Karpani, Annabelle Codey, Piper Duck, Layne Morgan, Cecilia Smith, Arabella McKenzie
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