Wallaroos eager for NZ women's rugby Test

Virtually no one is giving Australia's women's rugby team a chance against world champions New Zealand, but the Wallaroos see it far differently.

Australia are massive underdogs for their women's rugby Test with New Zealand, but try telling the Wallaroos it's a mission impossible assignment.

Things have changed dramatically since the teams last met in 2016, when the Black Ferns produced a 67-3 demolition job at Eden Park.

New Zealand claimed last year's Women's Rugby World Cup as Australia finished a disappointing sixth, but the Wallaroos are buoyed by the success of this year's inaugural Super W competition which helped develop 13 debutantes in their squad for Saturday's clash at ANZ Stadium.

The game is being played before the Bledisloe Cup opener as the Wallaroos get a run on home soil for the first time in a decade.

Wallaroos lock Alisha Hewett says the team are eager to put the heat back on the Black Ferns.

"Never underestimate the underdogs," Hewett told AAP.

"We've got a good quality side going forward to Saturday that will give them a good run for their money."

Fellow lock and Wallaroos vice-captain Rebecca Clough went a step further, believing all the pressure should be on New Zealand and they're very beatable.

"The Black Ferns, they're number one for a reason. They've got everything to lose though and we've got nothing to lose," Clough said.

"They're just flesh and bone just like we are, and we've got a huge point to prove.

"We know we're better than sixth in the world at the moment, so we're really excited."

The Wallaroos, headed by coach Dwayne Nestor, have been preparing in Canberra for the match.

Assistant coach Moana Virtue believes they are already seeing the results of the Super W competition and that will show in future international results.

"I think it's given us a level of eliteness and what's required, as opposed to club rugby going straight into international - that's a huge step," Virtue told AAP.

"With Super W in there, a lot of the states, have been given more training and technical training, which is so vital."

In addition to play in front of a big crowd, the Wallaroos will receive match payments for the first time following the last collective bargaining agreement in December.


Share
2 min read

Published

Source: AAP


Share this with family and friends


Get SBS News daily and direct to your Inbox

Sign up now for the latest news from Australia and around the world direct to your inbox.

By subscribing, you agree to SBS’s terms of service and privacy policy including receiving email updates from SBS.

Download our apps
SBS News
SBS Audio
SBS On Demand

Listen to our podcasts
An overview of the day's top stories from SBS News
Interviews and feature reports from SBS News
Your daily ten minute finance and business news wrap with SBS Finance Editor Ricardo Gonçalves.
A daily five minute news wrap for English learners and people with disability
Get the latest with our News podcasts on your favourite podcast apps.

Watch on SBS
SBS World News

SBS World News

Take a global view with Australia's most comprehensive world news service
Watch the latest news videos from Australia and across the world