Chiefs duo named on Australian bench

By Mark Stevens
6/10/22

Exeter Chiefs newcomer Lori Cramer and Michaela Leonard have both been named on the bench for Australia Women’s opening fixture at the Rugby World Cup against New Zealand.

The duo will be part of the Wallaroos squad that will tackle the hosts in the opening fixture of the tournament at a packed out Eden Park.

They are two of 17 Chiefs players set to feature in the tournament and will be keen to get their Pool A campaign underway against the Black Ferns.

Head coach Jay Tregonning said: “Most of the pressure is on our hosts, the Black Ferns. The reality is that if you are playing international Rugby at the highest level, this is the atmosphere and the pressure that you should be craving. As Rugby players, what could be better than opening a Rugby World Cup in front of a record-breaking crowd against the host nation?

“We want to use that energy to really inspire us, and feed our performance. The entire squad has worked tirelessly in the lead-up to the Rugby World Cup – I am so impressed by the players’ attitude and work-ethic.

“The selected 23 players have been in great form at training, however they have really been pushed by the entire squad – the intensity level has been high and it means that I have full confidence in the players selected for our first match.”

Bridie O'Gorman is the only other change to the starting side that lost 22-14 to New Zealand back in August in Adelaide, swapping with Eva Karpani at tight-head prop.

“Our opener against the Black Ferns on Saturday will be a massive spectacle this weekend,” captain Shannon Parry added.

“To play on this scale at an iconic venue like Eden Park is incredible – especially when coupled with these record-breaking attendance figures.

“To represent Australia on the world stage, surrounded by my teammates and supported by my family, is going to be such a special moment. I’ll be looking out for that sprinkling of green-and-gold in amongst the blacked-out stadium.”

The clash will be shown live and ad-free on Stan Sport and 9Gem, with the game set to kick off at 5:15 pm (AEDT).

Wallaroos team to play the Black Ferns

1. Liz Patu – Queensland Reds
2. Adiana Talakai – New South Wales Waratahs
3. Bridie O'Gorman – New South Wales Waratahs
4. Sera Naiqama – New South Wales Waratahs
5. Atasi Lafai – New South Wales Waratahs
6. Emily Chancellor – New South Wales Waratahs
7. Shannon Parry – Queensland Reds (capt)
8. Grace Hamilton – New South Wales Waratahs
9. Iliseva Batibasaga – New South Wales Waratahs
10. Arabella McKenzie – New South Wales Waratahs
11. Ivania Wong – Queensland Reds
12. Sharni Williams – Australian Sevens
13. Georgina Friedrichs – New South Wales Waratahs
14. Bienne Terita – Australian Sevens
15. Pauline Piliae-Rasabale – New South Wales Waratahs

16. Ashley Marsters – Melbourne Rebels
17. Emily Robinson – New South Wales Waratahs
18.Eva Karpani – New South Wales Waratahs
19. Michaela Leonard - Exeter Chiefs
20. Grace Kemp – ACT Brumbies
21. Layne Morgan – New South Wales Waratahs
22. Trilleen Pomare - Western Force
23. Lori Cramer – Exeter Chiefs