Latest news with #Palu
West Australian
22-05-2025
- Sport
- West Australian
Wallaroos look for World Cup measure against Canada
With the Rugby World Cup three months away, the Wallaroos are determined not to take a backward step when they face Canada in their final round of the Pacific Four tournament. The Australian women tackle the Canadians at Brisbane's Suncorp Stadium on Friday, looking to make a dent in a 0-6 win-loss record. While the Canada's men's team are ranked outside the top 20, their women are a rugby powerhouse, sitting at world No.2 - above world champions New Zealand, who they drew with last round. Canada's set-piece and rolling maul are their major weapons, while the Wallaroos will look to get sevens superstar Charlotte Caslick heavily involved in her first start at inside centre. "We know Canada are going to be physical and be on a high, with the draw last week with the Black Ferns," Wallaroos skipper Siokapesi Palu said at their final training session in Brisbane. The Wallaroos are going into the match with confidence high after a rousing win over the USA in Canberra last round while in their first match of the tournament they also delivered an improved performance against the Black Ferns, who they have also never beaten. "We're confident with what we produced last week and in the weeks before so we know what we need to do, it's just a matter of executing on the night when it matters," said Palu. "A win gives us huge confidence but it's the way we won, knowing that we had to front up physically is something that we need to take into this game." Brumbies flanker Palu said it was important to keep improving ahead of their World Cup opener, against Samoa in Manchester in August. The Wallaroos have a potential Cup quarter-final match-up with Canada. "Growth is a massive focus for us, which you can see as we shift and change different people in different positions - we're trying to build connections and depth," she said. "We saw where we kind of sat with the New Zealand team and it shows that there has been a lot of progress. "This game will definitely be crucial ahead of the World Cup but there's still a few more games for all of us to play so we don't know what can happen in that time."
Perth Now
22-05-2025
- Sport
- Perth Now
Wallaroos look for World Cup measure against Canada
With the Rugby World Cup three months away, the Wallaroos are determined not to take a backward step when they face Canada in their final round of the Pacific Four tournament. The Australian women tackle the Canadians at Brisbane's Suncorp Stadium on Friday, looking to make a dent in a 0-6 win-loss record. While the Canada's men's team are ranked outside the top 20, their women are a rugby powerhouse, sitting at world No.2 - above world champions New Zealand, who they drew with last round. Canada's set-piece and rolling maul are their major weapons, while the Wallaroos will look to get sevens superstar Charlotte Caslick heavily involved in her first start at inside centre. "We know Canada are going to be physical and be on a high, with the draw last week with the Black Ferns," Wallaroos skipper Siokapesi Palu said at their final training session in Brisbane. The Wallaroos are going into the match with confidence high after a rousing win over the USA in Canberra last round while in their first match of the tournament they also delivered an improved performance against the Black Ferns, who they have also never beaten. "We're confident with what we produced last week and in the weeks before so we know what we need to do, it's just a matter of executing on the night when it matters," said Palu. "A win gives us huge confidence but it's the way we won, knowing that we had to front up physically is something that we need to take into this game." Brumbies flanker Palu said it was important to keep improving ahead of their World Cup opener, against Samoa in Manchester in August. The Wallaroos have a potential Cup quarter-final match-up with Canada. "Growth is a massive focus for us, which you can see as we shift and change different people in different positions - we're trying to build connections and depth," she said. "We saw where we kind of sat with the New Zealand team and it shows that there has been a lot of progress. "This game will definitely be crucial ahead of the World Cup but there's still a few more games for all of us to play so we don't know what can happen in that time."
1News
10-05-2025
- Sport
- 1News
Bring on the Black Ferns: Wallaroos aim to bust 0-27 record
Wallaroos captain Siokapesi Palu has called for Australia to play more women's rugby games against top-tier nations as they attempt to close the gap on New Zealand. Women's international rugby is separated into three tiers, with Australia currently in tier two. New Zealand are among the powerhouses in tier one, having been crowned champions in six of the past seven World Cups. The Black Ferns hold an astounding 27-0 record against Australia in women's rugby, with the most recent meeting resulting in a whopping 62-0 win in Brisbane last year. Australia will get a fresh look at where they sit in the pecking order when they face NZ in their Pacific Four series opener at McDonald Jones Stadium in Newcastle tomorrow. Although Australia are a force when it comes to women's Sevens rugby, there's still much work to be done in the XV game. Palu would like Australia to play more games against the likes of top-tier nations NZ, England, Canada and France. "It's always special [facing NZ] because we know they're a quality side," Palu said. "But as we continue to grow the game, we need to make sure we play top-tier teams like them, so the more exposure and opportunities we have against them, the more likely of a chance we have of closing that gap." Australia warmed up for their Pacific Four campaign with a 43-7 win over Fijiana in Suva. But the victory came at a cost, with outside backs Maya Stewart (knee) and Bienne Terita (hamstring) ruled out. Stewart underwent knee surgery on Wednesday and could return in July, while Terita has also been ruled out of the Pacific Four series. Fellow back Caitlyn Halse will be sidelined for at least a week after injuring her hamstring at training in Newcastle. Wallaroos centre Georgina Friedrichs returns from a broken finger and will line up in the centres, while Sevens star Charlotte Caslick will start on the wing in Stewart's place. Caslick made her international XV debut off the bench against Fiji, and she's hoping to play a key role in Australia's World Cup campaign in England, which starts in August. Other Sevens stars who have been dabbling in the XV game — Tegan and Maddison Levi, Bella Nasser, Kahli Henwood and Sariah Paki — won't be available for the Pacific Four series following their recent participation in the LA Sevens. Demi Hayes is also out after sustaining a knee injury. NZ have named rising teenage star Braxton Sorensen-McGee at fullback for her international debut. Prop Awhina Tangen-Wainohu, who underwent serious neck surgery last year, makes a return off the bench in her first Test since the Rugby World Cup in 2022.
The Advertiser
09-05-2025
- Sport
- The Advertiser
Bring on NZ: Wallaroos aim to bust 0-27 record
Wallaroos captain Siokapesi Palu has called for Australia to play more women's rugby games against top-tier nations as they attempt to close the gap on New Zealand. Women's international rugby is separated into three tiers, with Australia currently in tier two. NZ are among the powerhouses in tier one, having been crowned champions in six of the past seven World Cups. The Black Ferns hold an astounding 27-0 record against Australia in women's rugby, with the most recent meeting resulting in a whopping 62-0 win in Brisbane last year. Australia will get a fresh look at where they sit in the pecking order when they face NZ in their Pacific Four series opener at McDonald Jones Stadium in Newcastle on Saturday. Although Australia are a force when it comes to women's Sevens rugby, there's still much work to be done in the XV game. Palu would like Australia to play more games against the likes of top-tier nations NZ, England, Canada and France. "It's always special (facing NZ) because we know they're a quality side," Palu said. "But as we continue to grow the game, we need to make sure we play top-tier teams like them, so the more exposure and opportunities we have against them, the more likely of a chance we have of closing that gap." Australia warmed up for their Pacific Four campaign with a 43-7 win over Fijiana in Suva. But the victory came at a cost, with outside backs Maya Stewart (knee) and Bienne Terita (hamstring) ruled out. Stewart underwent knee surgery on Wednesday and could return in July, while Terita has also been ruled out of the Pacific Four back Caitlyn Halse will be sidelined for at least a week after injuring her hamstring at training in Newcastle. Wallaroos centre Georgina Friedrichs returns from a broken finger and will line up in the centres, while Sevens star Charlotte Caslick will start on the wing in Stewart's place. Caslick made her international XV debut off the bench against Fiji, and she's hoping to play a key role in Australia's World Cup campaign in England, which starts in August. Other Sevens stars who have been dabbling in the XV game - Tegan and Maddison Levi, Bella Nasser, Kahli Henwood and Sariah Paki - won't be available for the Pacific Four series following their recent participation in the LA Sevens. Demi Hayes is also out after sustaining a knee injury. NZ have named rising teenage star Braxton Sorensen-McGee at fullback for her international debut. Prop Awhina Tangen-Wainohu, who underwent serious neck surgery last year, makes a return off the bench in her first Test since the Rugby World Cup in 2022. Wallaroos captain Siokapesi Palu has called for Australia to play more women's rugby games against top-tier nations as they attempt to close the gap on New Zealand. Women's international rugby is separated into three tiers, with Australia currently in tier two. NZ are among the powerhouses in tier one, having been crowned champions in six of the past seven World Cups. The Black Ferns hold an astounding 27-0 record against Australia in women's rugby, with the most recent meeting resulting in a whopping 62-0 win in Brisbane last year. Australia will get a fresh look at where they sit in the pecking order when they face NZ in their Pacific Four series opener at McDonald Jones Stadium in Newcastle on Saturday. Although Australia are a force when it comes to women's Sevens rugby, there's still much work to be done in the XV game. Palu would like Australia to play more games against the likes of top-tier nations NZ, England, Canada and France. "It's always special (facing NZ) because we know they're a quality side," Palu said. "But as we continue to grow the game, we need to make sure we play top-tier teams like them, so the more exposure and opportunities we have against them, the more likely of a chance we have of closing that gap." Australia warmed up for their Pacific Four campaign with a 43-7 win over Fijiana in Suva. But the victory came at a cost, with outside backs Maya Stewart (knee) and Bienne Terita (hamstring) ruled out. Stewart underwent knee surgery on Wednesday and could return in July, while Terita has also been ruled out of the Pacific Four back Caitlyn Halse will be sidelined for at least a week after injuring her hamstring at training in Newcastle. Wallaroos centre Georgina Friedrichs returns from a broken finger and will line up in the centres, while Sevens star Charlotte Caslick will start on the wing in Stewart's place. Caslick made her international XV debut off the bench against Fiji, and she's hoping to play a key role in Australia's World Cup campaign in England, which starts in August. Other Sevens stars who have been dabbling in the XV game - Tegan and Maddison Levi, Bella Nasser, Kahli Henwood and Sariah Paki - won't be available for the Pacific Four series following their recent participation in the LA Sevens. Demi Hayes is also out after sustaining a knee injury. NZ have named rising teenage star Braxton Sorensen-McGee at fullback for her international debut. Prop Awhina Tangen-Wainohu, who underwent serious neck surgery last year, makes a return off the bench in her first Test since the Rugby World Cup in 2022. Wallaroos captain Siokapesi Palu has called for Australia to play more women's rugby games against top-tier nations as they attempt to close the gap on New Zealand. Women's international rugby is separated into three tiers, with Australia currently in tier two. NZ are among the powerhouses in tier one, having been crowned champions in six of the past seven World Cups. The Black Ferns hold an astounding 27-0 record against Australia in women's rugby, with the most recent meeting resulting in a whopping 62-0 win in Brisbane last year. Australia will get a fresh look at where they sit in the pecking order when they face NZ in their Pacific Four series opener at McDonald Jones Stadium in Newcastle on Saturday. Although Australia are a force when it comes to women's Sevens rugby, there's still much work to be done in the XV game. Palu would like Australia to play more games against the likes of top-tier nations NZ, England, Canada and France. "It's always special (facing NZ) because we know they're a quality side," Palu said. "But as we continue to grow the game, we need to make sure we play top-tier teams like them, so the more exposure and opportunities we have against them, the more likely of a chance we have of closing that gap." Australia warmed up for their Pacific Four campaign with a 43-7 win over Fijiana in Suva. But the victory came at a cost, with outside backs Maya Stewart (knee) and Bienne Terita (hamstring) ruled out. Stewart underwent knee surgery on Wednesday and could return in July, while Terita has also been ruled out of the Pacific Four back Caitlyn Halse will be sidelined for at least a week after injuring her hamstring at training in Newcastle. Wallaroos centre Georgina Friedrichs returns from a broken finger and will line up in the centres, while Sevens star Charlotte Caslick will start on the wing in Stewart's place. Caslick made her international XV debut off the bench against Fiji, and she's hoping to play a key role in Australia's World Cup campaign in England, which starts in August. Other Sevens stars who have been dabbling in the XV game - Tegan and Maddison Levi, Bella Nasser, Kahli Henwood and Sariah Paki - won't be available for the Pacific Four series following their recent participation in the LA Sevens. Demi Hayes is also out after sustaining a knee injury. NZ have named rising teenage star Braxton Sorensen-McGee at fullback for her international debut. Prop Awhina Tangen-Wainohu, who underwent serious neck surgery last year, makes a return off the bench in her first Test since the Rugby World Cup in 2022.
West Australian
09-05-2025
- Sport
- West Australian
Bring on NZ: Wallaroos aim to bust 0-27 record
Wallaroos captain Siokapesi Palu has called for Australia to play more women's rugby games against top-tier nations as they attempt to close the gap on New Zealand. Women's international rugby is separated into three tiers, with Australia currently in tier two. NZ are among the powerhouses in tier one, having been crowned champions in six of the past seven World Cups. The Black Ferns hold an astounding 27-0 record against Australia in women's rugby, with the most recent meeting resulting in a whopping 62-0 win in Brisbane last year. Australia will get a fresh look at where they sit in the pecking order when they face NZ in their Pacific Four series opener at McDonald Jones Stadium in Newcastle on Saturday. Although Australia are a force when it comes to women's Sevens rugby, there's still much work to be done in the XV game. Palu would like Australia to play more games against the likes of top-tier nations NZ, England, Canada and France. "It's always special (facing NZ) because we know they're a quality side," Palu said. "But as we continue to grow the game, we need to make sure we play top-tier teams like them, so the more exposure and opportunities we have against them, the more likely of a chance we have of closing that gap." Australia warmed up for their Pacific Four campaign with a 43-7 win over Fijiana in Suva. But the victory came at a cost, with outside backs Maya Stewart (knee) and Bienne Terita (hamstring) ruled out. Stewart underwent knee surgery on Wednesday and could return in July, while Terita has also been ruled out of the Pacific Four back Caitlyn Halse will be sidelined for at least a week after injuring her hamstring at training in Newcastle. Wallaroos centre Georgina Friedrichs returns from a broken finger and will line up in the centres, while Sevens star Charlotte Caslick will start on the wing in Stewart's place. Caslick made her international XV debut off the bench against Fiji, and she's hoping to play a key role in Australia's World Cup campaign in England, which starts in August. Other Sevens stars who have been dabbling in the XV game - Tegan and Maddison Levi, Bella Nasser, Kahli Henwood and Sariah Paki - won't be available for the Pacific Four series following their recent participation in the LA Sevens. Demi Hayes is also out after sustaining a knee injury. NZ have named rising teenage star Braxton Sorensen-McGee at fullback for her international debut. Prop Awhina Tangen-Wainohu, who underwent serious neck surgery last year, makes a return off the bench in her first Test since the Rugby World Cup in 2022.
