Leonard and Cramer start for Wallaroos

By Mark Stevens
20/10/22

Exeter Chiefs newcomer Michaela Leonard comes into the Australia side to tackle Wales in Saturday’s Rugby World Cup Pool A clash in Whangarei.

The second-row comes in for Sera Naiqama in one of two changes Wallaroos coach Jay Trepanning has made to his team from that which defeated Scotland 14-12 last weekend.

Leonard will be joined in the starting line-up by fellow Chief, Lori Cramer, who again lines up at full-back.

Victory will secure a top-two finish in Pool A and see them face either the lowest-ranked group winner (Canada/England) or a fellow second-place finisher (France/USA/Italy).

A loss and the Wallaroos need results to go their way, although it would likely require outsiders such as either Scotland defeating New Zealand or Fiji overcoming France to end their World Cup dreams. .

The Wallaroos are riding the momentum from the close victory after breaking a seven-game losing streak, believing they are better equipped to deal with the blustery Whangarei conditions.

“I think the way we finished the Scotland game provides an enormous amount of confidence," said Tregonning "Coming from behind, grinding out the win, Lori kicking a few goals under pressure – it was all outstanding and that’s great for everyone’s confidence.

"We’ve shown that we can do it and hopefully it’s not that close for my health this weekend but if it is we have confidence in the girls to be able to bring it home.

“We probably were a little underprepared for the wind to be honest last week, so it’s definitely something that’s been on the agenda from a training point of view and something we’re touching on today so.”

Wales, meanwhile, will include another of Exeter’s summer signings, Robyn Wilkins, on their bench.

Head coach Ioan Cunningham has made four changes to his starting line-up fore the clash with Cerys Hale, Carys Williams-Morris and Niamh Terry all set to make their first starts of the tournament. Also included from the outset is Gwen Crabb at lock.

Cunningham said, “It’s all on Saturday for us, it’s a massive game, we are really looking forward to it.

“The most important thing for us this week was to get the batteries fully charged mentally and physically for what’s going to be a huge game for us on Saturday against a tough quality opposition.

“We have created a lot of opportunities during the tournament – against Scotland and also New Zealand. It’s important to get our nuts and bolts right – we built a really good set-piece platform last weekend – and then we need to convert our opportunities into tries.

“Australia are a quality team, they have some strong ball carriers and some lethal runners in the back line so they are dangerous with time on the ball.

“We know we have to have to start on the front foot because if we step off at all it’s going to be a tough afternoon. We must hold onto the ball and take our chances – and also match Australia in the physical battle.

“It’s good to see Cerys (Hale) back at tight-head, she’s an excellent scrummager, Gwen Crabb is back to her more usual position at second row with Natalia (John), Bethan Lewis was excellent last week and moves to the blindside with Alex Callender freshening up the back-row on the openside. Carys (Williams-Morris) will add her size and physicality to the midfield and we are excited to see Niamh Terry go at full-back.”