Australia has named the side to play Wales in their second match of the IRB Women’s World Cup with Wallaroos veteran Rebecca Smyth returning to the starting side.
Smyth, who has been sidelined with a knee complaint since the end of the Wallaroos World Cup training camp, has been declared fit to play and will return as flanker alongside Dalena Dennison, with Captain Shannon Parry moving to number eight.
Having accounted for South Africa 26-3, Australia will face a greater challenge in Wales when they meet in Marcoussis in Paris at 2300 AEST tonight.
Wallaroos head coach Paul Verrell was excited about the challenge.
“I have been very impressed with the team in the days following our match against South Africa.
“We have recovered well and the players have gone into their preparation for the match against Wales with a unified focus.
“South Africa was a good test for us, but now we must really step up our intensity when we meet our first European side.
“Wales had some impressive matches in the Women’s Six Nations Championship, including beating Scotland 25-0, so we will really have to lift our game to get the result, which I am confident this group can do.”
The match will be broadcast live on FOX SPORTS 3HD and 3.
1. Oneata Schwalger
2. Louise Burrows
3. Caroline Vakalahi
4. Rebecca Clough
5. Alisha Hewett
6. Dalena Dennison
7. Rebecca Smyth
8. Shannon Parry (c)
9. Nota Maynard
10. Tui Ormsby
11. Natasha Haines
12. Cobie-Jane Morgan
13. Sharni Williams
14. Tricia Brown
15. Ashleigh Hewson
16. Margaret Watson
17. Liz Patu
18. Michelle Milward
19. Mollie Gray
20. Ashley Marsters
21. Hanna Sio
22. Michelle Perry
