Wallaroos coach J. Tragning has handed over the playmaking key to Trilin Pomer as Australia look to ease the losing streak against Japan against New Zealand on Monday (12.30pm AEST at Stan Sport).
Force star Pomare will start off at No. 10 behind NSW’s Arbela Mackenzie in last month’s Tests against Fiji and Japan.
In Brisbane, the Wallers lost 12-10 to Brave Blossoms on the Gold Coast before beating Fiji 36-19.
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There will be a meeting between Canada and the United States before the clash with the Black Fern in Tauranga as the teams have finalized their plans for the October-November Rugby World Cup in New Zealand.
Uncapped Queenslander Annabelle Cody and Cecilia Smith are also named on the trending bench.
“The team has had a really valuable week back on the Gold Coast and we are excited to be in New Zealand before the competition,” said Tragning.
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“The game against New Zealand in the first game of the Pacific Four really looks like a foretaste of what’s going to happen in the first match of the Pool Game at the Rugby World Cup.
“Although the Black Fern are strong opponents, this match will be a good fit for us to prepare before we return to New Zealand in October.”
The test will be the first time Kiwi coaching Great Wayne Smith has been in charge of the once influential Black Furnace after a tumultuous tour of the Northern Hemisphere that caused Glenn Moore to bear the cost of his job.
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Halfback center Caucasus will become the most capped player in Black Fern’s history when he takes to the field for the 58th time.
“It’s going to be a very exciting day for me and my family, especially to bring this milestone to the home turf,” Coxage said.
“We had a great week for the Tests and can’t wait to get there on Monday.”
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Smith names seven of his 23 debutants, including Olympic Sevens gold medalist Ruby Twi-Dan Wing and Bremen’s sisters Chelsea and Alana Package.
“We’re really impressed with some of our young players, they’re in good form and they deserve a crack,” Smith said.
“I’ve always seen selection as a simple process, the players choose themselves – we just have to write the names.
“It’s exciting to have these Tests in our own country and it brings some pressure. I want this series to be enjoyable for the country and the players, we have a game that can do it – we just have to do it. On the field.”
The Wallers have yet to beat the Black Fern in 19 attempts.
Wallaros (15-1): Laurie Kramer, Mahalia Murphy, Georgina Friedrichs, Pauline Pelia-Rasabelle, Ivania Ong, Trilin Pomare, Ilyseva Batibasaga, Grace Hamilton, Shannon Parry (C), Emily Chancellor, Kaitlan Liani, Mikela Leonard.
Reserve: Ashley Masters, Madison Schuck, Asoiva Carpani, Annabelle Cody, Piper Duck, Lane Morgan, Cecilia Smith, Arbela Mackenzie
Black fern (15-1): Renee Holmes, Ruby Tui, Kelsey Teneti, Chelsea Semple, Ayesha Leti-I’iga, Ruahei Demant (c), Kendra Cocksedge; Kaipo Olsen-Baker, Kendra Reynolds, Alana Bremner, Chelsea Bremner, Mayakawanakaulani Rus, Amy Rule, Georgia Ponsonby, Crystal Murray
Reserve: Luke Connor, Angel Mulu, Tania Colonivalle, Joanna Engan-U, Tafito Lafayel, Arihana Marino-Tauhinu, Hazel Tubic, Chael Robbins-Reti
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