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Wallaroos excited for match against Japan - who haven't played a game since 2017
By Online Editors
Japan aren't elite level opposition but they'll do just nicely for an Australian women's rugby team desperate to beef up their Test program.
A two-match series against the 16th-ranked Japanese begins with a Test in Newcastle on Saturday, followed by a second in Sydney six days later.
They precede two Tests against New Zealand which, like last year, will be played immediately before Bledisloe Cup clashes in August.
The seventh-ranked Wallaroos have never played four Tests in a non-World Cup year, leaving newly-appointed captain Grace Hamilton pleased simply to be able to gauge their progress this month.
While the world's top five ranked teams - New Zealand, England, Canada, France and the United States - are currently engaging in a tournament in San Diego, Hamilton was pleased some rising Australian talent will get a chance to showcase their wares.
There are 11 uncapped players in their 29-strong squad, with those who showed promising Super W form handed opportunities at the next level up ahead of the 2021 World Cup in New Zealand.
"There's some new girls, which is lovely to see, there's so much depth within Australia now," Hamilton said.
"It's testament to the hard work they've been doing in the (two) Super W seasons that we've had.
"To be able to blood some new girls at this stage of the season is incredible and I can't wait to see what they do."
There is anticipation over the likely Wallaroos debut for Kiwi-born midfield back Alysia Lefau-Fakaosilea, who was a standout performer this year for Queensland.
The 18-year-old has just become eligible for Australia following a three-year stand-down period.
Former skipper Liz Patu has been selected but lost the captaincy, seemingly paying for a biting incident in March while on duty for Queensland which earned her a six-week suspension.
Hamilton said Japan will be no pushover, recalling Australia were forced to work for a 29-15 win in their last meeting, at Dublin during the 2017 World Cup.
It is Japan's first Test since that tournament.
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Latest Comments
Ireland have every right to back themselves for a win. But the key variable has little to do with recent record etc.
The reality is that Ireland are a settled team with tons of continuity, an established style, and a good depth chart, whereas NZ are fundamentally rebuilding. The questions are all about what Razor is doing and how far along he is in that program.
NZ are very close to really clicking. Against England all of the chatter is about how England could have closed out a win, but failed to do so. This has obscured the observation that NZ were by far the more creative and effective in attack, beyond the 3-1 try differential and disallowed tries. They gave away a lot of unnecessary penalties, and made many simple errors (including knock-ons and loose kicks). Those things are very fixable, and when they do so we are once again going to be staring at a formidable NZ team.
Last week we heard the England fans talking confidently about their chances against NZ, but England did not end up looking like the better team on the field or the scoreboard. The England defense was impressive enough, but still could not stop the tries.
Ireland certainly has a better chance, of course, but NZ is improving fast, and I would not be surprised at a convincing All Black win this week. It may turn on whether NZ can cut out the simple mistakes.
Go to commentsFair to say that NZ have come to respect Ireland, as have all teams. But it's a bit click-baitey to say that the game is the premier show-down for NZ.
SA has beaten NZ four times in a row, including in the RWC final.
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