Wallaroos coach Jo Yapp has emphasised their focus on continuing to improve their performances going into the Women’s World Cup in England, following their recent convincing victory over Wales in their final warm-up game.
When asked if reaching the quarter final is a realistic prospect, Yapp said “Most definitely. Ultimately we know we need to perform against Samoa and the USA.”
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She added, “We can’t afford to have second chances in the World Cup, so that second performance against Wales, as good as it was, we need to go, what did we do that week?”
Particularly, Yapp pointed out the need to work on the team’s speed at the ruck.
“We’ve just talked about…really staying focused on our process goals, because if we stay too focused on outcomes, there’s a certain degree we can’t control that with the opposition,” Yapp explained.
Reflecting on the news that Charlotte Caslick has been forced to withdraw from the travelling squad due to an ankle injury, Yapp said “We wanted to give her the best possible chance to join us, so we made the call late. She’s done exceptionally well to get to this point anyway.”
Yapp did indicate that Caslick might have the opportunity to join up with the squad during the tournament, but that it could happen “at the end of the pool stage or the quarterfinal” if an injury were to occur.
Turning to Caslick’s replacement, Manu’a Moleka, Yapp admitted that she had told her “If there’s any injuries, you are in and stay ready.”
She was full of praise for her character, remarking that “it’s been a real rollercoaster for her because she’s missed out before, and then she’s come in as an injury replacement, so it’s been a rollercoaster. How she’s managed that is, it’s been exceptional.”
Yapp and the team leave for England cautiously optimistic that they will be able to continue to build and compete against the tough competition they face at the World Cup.
