Latest news with #Wallaroos
ABC News
3 hours ago
- Sport
- ABC News
Emily Chancellor handed Wallaroos captaincy ahead of Test series against Wales
Wallaroos coach Jo Yapp has described new captain Emily Chancellor as a "natural leader" as the Wallabies make their final preparations before next month's Women's Rugby World Cup. Injuries to captain and blindside flanker Siokapesi Palu (foot) and rugby 7s convert Charlotte Caslick (ankle) in the Wallaroos' defeat to New Zealand have forced Yapp to make changes ahead of the first of two Tests against Wales this Saturday. Chancellor replaces Palu as captain and blindside flanker, while Georgina Friedrichs slots into the centres in place of Caslick. Saturday's match at Brisbane's Ballymore, and the following week in Sydney, are the final two matches before Australia faces Samoa in the opening match of the world cup on August 23. In total, Yapp made six changes from the team who were defeated by New Zealand on July 12. Despite the injuries, the Australian coach is taking the positive out of giving more players an opportunity before the World Cup in England. "We're looking forward to playing these final two Test matches on home soil before the World Cup begins," Yapp said in a statement. "Injuries have forced our hand with a few changes for the series, but it also gives opportunities to other players ahead of the World Cup. "While disappointing to lose a leader like Siokapesi Palu, we are fortunate to have someone like Emily Chancellor be able to step up in her place and lead the team. "Emily is a natural leader and has worked closely throughout this season with Siokapesi." Starting: 1. Lydia Kavoa, 2. Katalina Amosa, 3. Bridie O'Gorman, 4. Kaitlan Leaney (#179 — SCU Marlins) — 29 caps, 5. Annabelle Codey, 6. Emily Chancellor (captain), 7. Ashley Marsters, 8. Tabua Tuinakauvadra, 9. Layne Morgan, 10. Tia Hinds, 11. Desiree Miller, 12. Trilleen Pomare, 13. Georgina Friedrichs, 14. Waiaria Ellis, 15. Caitlyn Halse, Reserves: 16. Tania Naden, 17. Bree-Anna Browne, 18. Asoiva (Eva) Karpani, 19. Ashley Fernandez, 20. Piper Duck, 21. Samantha Wood, 22. Cecilia Smith, 23. Lori Cramer
RTÉ News
3 hours ago
- Sport
- RTÉ News
Ireland targeting 'momentum' from World Cup warm-ups
It's not even a full year since the second chapter of the new Ireland resurgence began and Edel McMahon wants to use upcoming warm-up games as a similar springboard into the Women's World Cup. Ireland, under head coach Scott Bemand had picked up the WXV3 title in 2023 and the following spring claimed third place in the Six Nations, a finish that was enough for World Cup qualification. There had been clear signs of improvement from the side that finished the 2023 Six Nations with the wooden spoon. But another version of Ireland emerged in the 36-10 victory over the Wallaroos in Belfast last September. Boosted by a number of Sevens players, including Erin King, Stacey Flood and Eve Higgins, the hosts racked up six tries in a statement win. A few weeks later the team added the scalps of double World Cup winners New Zealand and USA in WVX1. The inspirational King and in-form Dorothy Wall have both since been ruled out of the 22 August to 27 September tournament in England through injury but co-captain McMahon says the 2 August clash with Scotland, and the meeting with Canada a week later can set the team up the showpiece tournament. "There was huge anticipation before that Australia game to see where the squad had gone from the Six Nations," McMahon told RTÉ Sport's Michael Corcoran. "We had new players coming into the squad who were [getting] experienced in 15s and had been playing a lot of 15s over the summer. "For that game to kick off so well and the result to be so good really tied together everything we'd been working hard at training and propelled us well, momentum-wise in WXV1. "For the warm-up games it's about some players getting back on the field and getting that confidence again, looking at different combinations. "It's about us as a squad knowing what we need to get out of the games to give us momentum going into the World Cup." Ireland, ranked fifth in the world, are in Pool C and face Japan and Spain in Northampton before a rematch with the Black Ferns in Brighton. The squad trained recently in Ennis, Co Clare, McMahon's home territory with Béibhinn Parsons and Sam Monaghan, both of whom had suffered injuries over the last year, among those pictured going through their paces. Star back row Aoife Wafer has returned to training after a knee issue but is not expected to feature ahead of the World Cup. Exeter back row forward McMahon says that training is gradually increasing in intensity as players compete for a spot in Bemand's squad. "Training is tough but it can be really fun when it's rugby-based," said the 31-year-old Kilmihil woman, who has 34 international caps, speaking at the Canterbury and Elverys launch of the new Ireland kit. "A lot of pre-season is a blend of bringing rugby into conditioning, into the gym to make it fun. It is about playing the sport. "There has been a good bite to training for all of pre-season. "On the horizon, everyone knows that selection is coming and everything wants to put their best foot forward. "At training last week, even if players are doing well against you, we're supporting each other but people are given the green light and it's okay to have that bit of edge because that's what you need to compete." The new Ireland no longer travel to make up numbers and despite a disheartening defeat to Scotland at the end of the Six Nations, wins over Wales and Italy, and a fine performance against France demonstrated that the team are on the right track. Continuing that upward trend in England is important, says McMahon. She said: "It's huge. It comes as part of us wanting to inspire a generation of young girls to pick up rugby. "Along with that inspiration has to come success so it is important for us to continue with success but also to enjoy playing rugby and to be playing a good brand of rugby and show it's something to be involved in. "With that, to get the next generation hooked and say, I want to pick up a rugby ball or be a professional women's player."
West Australian
5 hours ago
- Sport
- West Australian
'Superpower' shift as Wallaroos absorb double blow
Emily Chancellor doesn't claim to have the ball-running "superpower" of the back-rower and captain she's replacing. But the new Wallaroos skipper and No.6 hopes to bring one of her own in a side she reckons has switched to selfless, big-picture thinking ahead of the World Cup. With Siokapesi Palu (foot) recovering from surgery, veteran ruck menace Chancellor will lead Australia for the first time, against Wales at Brisbane's Ballymore on Saturday. Converted rugby sevens star Charlotte Caslick (ankle) was also injured in the side's last outing in New Zealand, where she wore the No.13. Both are hopeful of returning during the World Cup in late August. With just two Tests - they meet Wales again in Sydney next weekend - before their Cup opener against Samoa on August 23, coach Jo Yapp has also made unforced changes to her front row, second row and backline. But with Georgina Friedrichs an obvious replacement in the centres and Chancellor teaming with Ashley Marsters in the back row, there is no panic. "Yes, I'm playing No.6 but that's not my superpower, that's hers," Chancellor told AAP of Palu's ball-carrying prowess. "It's going to rely on us to share that load. "But you bring G-Fred back in ... she has one of the best workrates in the team, so we have that superpower back and we've suddenly got two players who can get over the ball in myself and Ash. "There's no-one brought in that you wonder if they can step up." Chancellor, 33 and vice-captain this year, is a ready-made leader after winning Test player of the year in her rookie 2018 season, enjoying stints in the UK and Japan and then missing the 2024 season with an anterior cruciate ligament tear. "I played against many of these (Welsh) girls," Chancellor said of her Premiership Women's Rugby stint with Harlequins. "And injury teaches you a lot about yourself; it makes you reflect and you can get to that point where you ask, 'Why am I doing this?'. "And that never crossed my mind. I've come back into this squad with a lot more perspective and it increases your team-first mentality." She's noticed that mindset elsewhere too as the women's program benefits from extra investment that includes the support of designated high performance manager Jaime Fernandez. "She's pushing our case to Rugby Australia and we've now got some girls who are full-time," Chancellor said. "Who have made the decision we're earning just about enough, never enough, but enough to survive and fully commit to this game." Sevens stars Sharni Williams and Shannon Parry were the only squad members operating on a full-time capacity for the Wallaroos in their 2021 Cup campaign. "The mental strength, willingness to dig deep and, to be honest, response to selections, shows a massive growth," Chancellor said of the differences since then. "It shows it's not just about you getting picked or not, or wanting to play a certain position. "It's understanding the role in a big squad. It's not personal." In seven World Cups Australia have a sole third-placed finish and otherwise finished no higher than fifth. Canada and New Zealand, who the Wallaroos challenged for 40 minutes before losing 37-12 a fortnight ago, remain the clear women's powerhouse sides. But the Wallaroos lead Wales 7-1 in head-to-head battles and are among the next rung of challengers. "The scoreboard matters and winning's important for the emotions," Chancellor said of the significance of Saturday's result. "But we're on the edge of a new way of playing and you regress to go forward again. We've been dabbling on the tipping point of playing nice, exciting, fast rugby." WALLAROOS SQUAD TO FACE WALES: Lydia Kavoa, Katalina Amosa, Bridie O'Gorman, Kaitlan Leaney, Annabelle Codey, Emily Chancellor (capt), Ashley Marsters, Tabua Tuinakauvadra, Layne Morgan, Tia Hinds, Desiree Miller, Trilleen Pomare, Georgina Friedrichs, Waiaria Ellis, Caitlyn Halse. Bench: Tania Naden, Bree-Anna Browne, Eva Karpani, Ashley Fernandez, Piper Duck, Samantha Wood, Cecilia Smith, Lori Cramer.
Perth Now
5 hours ago
- Sport
- Perth Now
'Superpower' shift as Wallaroos absorb double blow
Emily Chancellor doesn't claim to have the ball-running "superpower" of the back-rower and captain she's replacing. But the new Wallaroos skipper and No.6 hopes to bring one of her own in a side she reckons has switched to selfless, big-picture thinking ahead of the World Cup. With Siokapesi Palu (foot) recovering from surgery, veteran ruck menace Chancellor will lead Australia for the first time, against Wales at Brisbane's Ballymore on Saturday. Converted rugby sevens star Charlotte Caslick (ankle) was also injured in the side's last outing in New Zealand, where she wore the No.13. Both are hopeful of returning during the World Cup in late August. With just two Tests - they meet Wales again in Sydney next weekend - before their Cup opener against Samoa on August 23, coach Jo Yapp has also made unforced changes to her front row, second row and backline. But with Georgina Friedrichs an obvious replacement in the centres and Chancellor teaming with Ashley Marsters in the back row, there is no panic. "Yes, I'm playing No.6 but that's not my superpower, that's hers," Chancellor told AAP of Palu's ball-carrying prowess. "It's going to rely on us to share that load. "But you bring G-Fred back in ... she has one of the best workrates in the team, so we have that superpower back and we've suddenly got two players who can get over the ball in myself and Ash. "There's no-one brought in that you wonder if they can step up." Chancellor, 33 and vice-captain this year, is a ready-made leader after winning Test player of the year in her rookie 2018 season, enjoying stints in the UK and Japan and then missing the 2024 season with an anterior cruciate ligament tear. "I played against many of these (Welsh) girls," Chancellor said of her Premiership Women's Rugby stint with Harlequins. "And injury teaches you a lot about yourself; it makes you reflect and you can get to that point where you ask, 'Why am I doing this?'. "And that never crossed my mind. I've come back into this squad with a lot more perspective and it increases your team-first mentality." She's noticed that mindset elsewhere too as the women's program benefits from extra investment that includes the support of designated high performance manager Jaime Fernandez. "She's pushing our case to Rugby Australia and we've now got some girls who are full-time," Chancellor said. "Who have made the decision we're earning just about enough, never enough, but enough to survive and fully commit to this game." Sevens stars Sharni Williams and Shannon Parry were the only squad members operating on a full-time capacity for the Wallaroos in their 2021 Cup campaign. "The mental strength, willingness to dig deep and, to be honest, response to selections, shows a massive growth," Chancellor said of the differences since then. "It shows it's not just about you getting picked or not, or wanting to play a certain position. "It's understanding the role in a big squad. It's not personal." In seven World Cups Australia have a sole third-placed finish and otherwise finished no higher than fifth. Canada and New Zealand, who the Wallaroos challenged for 40 minutes before losing 37-12 a fortnight ago, remain the clear women's powerhouse sides. But the Wallaroos lead Wales 7-1 in head-to-head battles and are among the next rung of challengers. "The scoreboard matters and winning's important for the emotions," Chancellor said of the significance of Saturday's result. "But we're on the edge of a new way of playing and you regress to go forward again. We've been dabbling on the tipping point of playing nice, exciting, fast rugby." WALLAROOS SQUAD TO FACE WALES: Lydia Kavoa, Katalina Amosa, Bridie O'Gorman, Kaitlan Leaney, Annabelle Codey, Emily Chancellor (capt), Ashley Marsters, Tabua Tuinakauvadra, Layne Morgan, Tia Hinds, Desiree Miller, Trilleen Pomare, Georgina Friedrichs, Waiaria Ellis, Caitlyn Halse. Bench: Tania Naden, Bree-Anna Browne, Eva Karpani, Ashley Fernandez, Piper Duck, Samantha Wood, Cecilia Smith, Lori Cramer.
BBC News
a day ago
- Sport
- BBC News
Wales boost fitness in hunt for Lynn's first win
Women's summer series: Australia v WalesVenue: Ballymore, Brisbane Date: Saturday, 26 July Kick-off: 05:00 BSTCoverage: Watch on BBC Sport online and BBC iPlayer, listen on Radio Wales, Radio Cymru and BBC Sounds Georgia Evans says she and her Wales team-mates are the fittest they have ever been after being pushed to their limits in coach Sean Lynn said a lack of strength and conditioning was a concern after Wales finished bottom of the 2025 Women's Six Nations, his first campaign in the summer, Lynn's players trained in army boot camps and also spent time running up Wales' largest sand dune in preparation for a two-Test tour of Australia and next month's Rugby World Cup in England. "He (Lynn) wasn't lying when he said he was going to put us in a dark place, he definitely did that," said back-rower Evans."He set us standards before we left for off-season of what he expected when he came back in, so the work didn't stop, it was about grinding away." Evans thinks the hard work will pay off as Wales go in search of a first win under Lynn during their trip to take on the Wallaroos in Brisbane on Saturday before a repeat fixture in Sydney on Friday, 1 August - the day before the third British and Irish Lions Test in the same recorded their first victory over Australia at Rodney Parade last September, but suffered a sobering defeat when the two sides met again in South Africa at WXV2."It (pre-season) has been really tough, but looking to your left and looking to your right, you're seeing PBs (personal bests) week-in, week-out. We're getting fitter," said Evans."I think everyone is glad to see the back of block one purely because now we're into more rugby."We've got the ball in our hands way more than we did before. Just getting around the park, it makes life a lot easier when you can breathe a bit better. The tour of Australia will show us where we are rather than just training against each other." On a personal note, Evans will be hoping to hit the same levels which made her a standout player in the Six Nations in terms of tackle count and ball carrying. The 27-year-old Saracens star can play in the second row but is hoping to make the number eight jersey her own amid some stiff competition."I felt I did myself justice in the Six Nations but it's about building - the job is never done," Evans said."Wales have some world-class players. Unfortunately all of them play in my position, so it's all about that competition and making sure they're pushing you for your shirt and making you're a better player."I'm looking forward to it and hopefully I'll get my chance."
