Wallaroos Take it to Black Ferns in Test
ARU Media Release
Tuesday, 16 October 2007
Wallaroos Take it to Black Ferns in Test Series Opener
The Australian Women’s Rugby team – the Wallaroos – have put up a brave fight before eventually going down 21-10 to the World Champion Black Ferns in the first Test of the two match series in Wanganui this afternoon.
The Wallaroos, ranked seventh in the world, trailed by just one point in the final fifteen minutes, but fatigue and two late New Zealand tries sealed victory for the hosts.
The home side scored first through an Emma Jenson penalty before the World Champions were stunned by a Tegan French intercept and 60 metre dash to the tryline.
Flyhalf Alana Thomas slotted the conversion through the posts for a shock 7-3 lead.
However, the home side hit back with a try of their own to hold an 8-7 lead at half time.
Both teams traded penalties after the break with the contest still in the balance inside the last fifteen minutes.
But two late tries to the home side sealed victory.
The eleven point margin is the closest the Wallaroos have come in seven attempts against the number one ranked Black Ferns and coach Steve Hamson was delighted with the effort and enthusiasm of the tourists.
“To be within one point of the World Champions in the last fifteen minutes is a great result for us”, Hamson said.
“We knew we had to have a positive attitude right from the outset, if we were any hope of causing a good New Zealand team trouble.”
“Our forward pack set a great platform all day and the entire team defended with great enthusiasm – you could hardly ask for more”.
“We hope to build on today’s effort and maybe go one better in the next match.”
The second Test is in Wellington on Saturday.
New Zealand 21 (Carla Hohepa 2, Fa’anati Aniseko tries; Emma Jenson 2 pens) defeated Australia 10 (Tegan French try; Alana Thomas con, pen)
Cooks Gardens, Wanganui
HT: NZ 8-7
Referee: Nicky Inwood (NZL)
Wallaroos team:
- Lindsay Morgan
- Silei Poluleuligaga
- Vanessa Bradley
- Alicia Frost
- Chris Ross
- Kim Wilson (vc)
- Alex Hargreaves
- Tasileta Bethell
- Cheryl Soon (c)^
- Alana Thomas
- Tegan French
- Tui Ormsby
- Trish Brown (vc)#
- Lisa Fiaola
- Tobie McGann
Reserves
16. Louise Morrison*
17. Kylie Pennell*
18. Se’ei Sa’u
19. Rebecca Trethowan
20. Iliseva Batibasaga
21. Megan Valler*
22. Cassandra Nunn*
^ First Test as Captain
# First Test as Vice Captain
* First time in Wallaroos Test 22
