Wallaroos playing for pride against NZ

Friday, 16 August 2019:

GRACE HAMILTON
GRACE HAMILTON


Captain Grace Hamilton says pride and credibility are at stake when the Wallaroos take on the seemingly insurmountable Black Ferns at Eden Park.

Picked apart 47-10 at Perth by world champions New Zealand last week, Australia's earlier claims they had closed the gap have come under scrutiny.

Hamilton acknowledges her seventh-ranked team will once again have to overcome a serious deficit in Test experience when they face a side they've never beaten in 18 meetings.

However, she's calling for better than Perth where the players acknowledged they let themselves down.

"It hurt. It was disappointing and I know we're better than that," Hamilton said.

"Now's our chance to rectify that and show them what we can do and how we can play.

"We're representing our country so we want to make sure that we're making everyone at home proud and everyone that's come over to follow us as well."

The Australians suffered a setback on Friday when halfback Georgia Cormick was ruled out after suffering concussion at the captain's run.

The Melbourne Rebels No.9 is replaced in the starting team by more experienced Waratahs halfback Iliseva Batibasaga, with Queensland's Alana Elisia added to the bench.

Two other starting changes from Perth are recalls for fullback Mhicca Carter and flanker Shannon Mato.

Carter and Hamilton are among six players who started last year's 45-17 loss at Eden Park.

Hamilton says one simple way to narrow the scorelines is through retaining possession better and thereby unleashing an under-utilised attack.

"I don't think the girls got to flourish their skills on the field last weekend so I'm hoping we get the opportunity to do that," she said.

"We have to value that ball. You win the game if you have the ball and are scoring tries.

"They're a quality team. We're a young team but we've come together well. The vibe of the girls and the way we're playing, we've got a lot of improvement in us."






AAP