Written by Nathan Williamson on Oct 10, 2024 03:58 PM, courtesy of rugby.com.au Source article.
The Wallaroos face the Springboks in Round 2 of WXV2 at Athlone Stadium in Cape Town.
Wallaroos backrower Ash Marsters will break the record as the most capped women’s player in Australian Rugby history as coach Jo Yapp names her side to face Scotland on Sunday (AEDT).
Marsters will eclipse the mark set by legendary prop Liz Patu as she starts her 34th Test in Cape Town.
Watch the Wallaroos tackle Scotland to decide WXV 2 live and exclusively on Stan Sport.
“It’s a fantastic achievement for Ash to become the most-capped Wallaroo player of all time, taking over from the experienced Liz Patu,” Yapp said in a statement.
“Our performances over the past fortnight have been positive but we’ll need to go to another level against Scotland this weekend.”
Yapp has kept a consistent starting side to the one that defeated South Africa 33-26, opting to tweak the reserves.
This sees Sally Fuesaina and Alapeta Ngauamo return to the side in place of Allana Sikimeti and Lydia Kavoa.
Fuesaina will feature for the Wallaroos for the first time since the Pac Four series after debuting against Canada in May.
The WXV 2 title will be on the line as the top two sides face off in the final match of the competition.
Australia sits on top after their bonus point wins over Wales and South Africa whilst Scotland took down Italy and Japan.
It will be the first time since the World Cup in 2022 the two teams will face off, with the Australians taking out the 14-12 win in Whangarei.
“We want to keep our starting side as consistent as possible so Sally and Alapeta return to the bench in the only changes to the 23,” Yapp added.
“We want to step up and improve on our last performance and if we can play at our best we can finish the year on a strong note.”
WALLAROOS TEAM LIST TO FACE SCOTLAND
1. Bridie O’Gorman (#180 – Sydney University) – 26 caps
2. Tania Naden (#197 – Uni-North Owls) – 18 caps
3. Eva Karpani (#171 – Onkaparinga) – 30 caps
4. Kaitlan Leaney (#179 – CSU Marlins) – 24 caps
5. Michaela Leonard (c) (#168 – Tuggeranong Vikings) – 31 caps
6. Siokapesi Palu (#194 – Rockdale Rangers) – 15 caps
7. Ashley Marsters (#117 – Booroondarra) – 33 caps
8. Tabua Tuinakauvadra (#200 – Tuggeranong Vikings) – 10 caps
9. Layne Morgan (#188 – Merewether Carlton) – 28 caps
10. Faitala Moleka (#199 – Blacktown Scorpions) – 14 caps
11. Desiree Miller (#204 – Eastern Suburbs) – 11 caps
12. Cecilia Smith (#190 – Leeton Dianas) – 17 caps
13. Georgina Friedrichs (#178 – Wests Bulldogs) – 28 caps
14. Maya Stewart (#196 – Nelson Bay Gropers) – 15 caps
15. Caitlyn Halse (#210 – Southern Districts) – 5 caps
Reserves
16. Tiarna Molloy (#191 – Inverell Highlanders) – 6 caps
17. Sally Fuesaina (#208 – Campbeltown Harlequins) – 3 caps
18. Alapeta Ngauamo (#215 – Wests Bulldogs) – 2 caps
19. Atasi Lafai (#161 – Campbelltown Harlequins) – 17 caps
20. Lucy Dinnen (#216 – Wanneroo) – 4 caps
21. Samantha Wood (Kalamunda District) – 4 caps
22. Trilleen Pomare (#155 – Wanneroo) – 32 caps
23. Lori Cramer (#172 – University of Queensland) – 26 caps
