Hodgkinson and Rowe Named to Start for the Wallaroos

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Hodgkinson and Rowe Named to Start for the Wallaroos

Monday, 13 October 2008 5:56pm
RugbyWA

The Australian Rugby Union has announced the Wallaroo team to take on the New Zealand Black Ferns in Canberra on Tuesday 14 and Saturday 18 October 2008. Two of Perth’s own have been named in the line up for Tuesday’s match, with Debby Hodgkinson & Melissa Rowe of Cottesloe Rugby Club are flying the flag for West Australian Women.

Debby Hodgkinson was name the West Australian State Player of the year for 2008 and Melissa Rowe was named the Fairest & Best for the Women’s round by round Competition.

RugbyWA (And all at TWF!) would like to wish both Debby and Melissa all the best.

The Kiwis have won all eight clashes, taking last year’s games 21-10 and 29-12.

AUSTRALIAN TEAM

1 Lindsay Morgan (ACT)

2 Silei Poluleuligaga (VIC)

3 Kylie Pennell (NSW)

4 Dalena Dennison (NSW)

5 Kate Porter (Australian Services)

6 Selena Tranter (QLD)

7 Alexandra Hargreaves (v/c) (NSW)

8 Debby Hodgkinson (WA)

9 Cheryl Soon © (NSW)

10 Alana Thomas (NSW)

11 Nicole Beck (NSW)

12 Tui Ormsby (NSW)

13 Sharni Williams (ACT)

14 Iliseva Batibasaga (QLD)

15 Tricia Brown (QLD)

16 Margaret Watson (NSW)

17 Danielle Meskell (NSW)

18 Tasileta Bethell (QLD)

19 Se’ei Sa’u (QLD)

20 Kim Wilson (ACT)

21 Selene Thornton (NSW)

22 Melissa Rowe (WA)

Wallaroos and Black Ferns pay a moving visit to the Australian War Memorial

October 14, 2008 - 1:57pm
Story by: ARU

The Paper to Paper Wallaroos and the New Zealand Black Ferns paid a moving joint visit to the Australian War Memorial in Canberra yesterday, on the eve of the first Test of the series between the two teams, which kicks off at Viking Park tonight at 6pm.

Wallaroos captain Cheryl Soon and Black Ferns captain Melissa Ruscoe were presented with a wreath which they lay at the foot of “The Unknown Soldier”.

“It was a great experience out there - and interesting that much of the ANZAC spirit is similar to what we are using in Rugby and sport” said Soon.

The Wallaroos are confident of giving a good account of themselves in the first Test this evening, although the weather may favour the visitors.

The team have also discussed in the last few days just how they would face the Black Ferns’ Haka. In New Zealand last year the team boldly advanced towards the Haka and they may decide on a similar approach this year.

Media coverage has been excellent for tonight’s clash and there is great expectation for what shapes to be a hard fought series.

Paper to Paper Wallaroos beaten by Black Ferns in First Test

October 14, 2008 - 7:06pm
Story by: ARU

The world champion New Zealand Black Ferns have won the opening match of a two-Test series with the Paper to Paper Wallaroos, running out 37-3 victors at Viking Park in Canberra tonight.

Scoring five tries, including three in the first half, the Black Ferns stretched their unbeaten record against Australia in women’s internationals to nine since the first Trans-Tasman contest in 1994.

The result was a disappointment for the Wallaroos, who headed into the match buoyed by the recent success of the Australian women’s Sevens team which downed New Zealand in the Oceania tournament in Samoa three months ago.

During the opening 20 minutes, there were promising signs for the Wallaroos as they dominated possession and territory.

Their inability to mount points, however, scorched them later as the Black Ferns gradually took ascendancy in the forwards and capitalized on a greater share of the ball.

By halftime the Kiwis had opened a lead of 19-3.

They extended the advantage with a penalty goal early in the second half and, as the Black Ferns’ set piece took control, a further two tries gave the New Zealanders a convincing final margin.

Australia’s only points came from the boot of five-eighth Alana Thomas, who landed a first half penalty goal.

Despite the struggles up front, the best for the Wallaroos included two backrowers – No.8 Debby Hodgkinson from WA and openside flanker Alexandra Hargreaves from NSW.

The Test was the first for the Wallaroos on home soil since a series against England in 2001 and the first in Australia against the Black Ferns since 1998.

The second game in the series will be played at Viking Park on Saturday, with kickoff at 3pm.

New Zealand Black Ferns 37 (Carla Hohepa 2, Olivia Coady, Anna Richards, Halie Hurring tries; Hannah Porter 3 cons, 2 pen goals) def Paper to Paper Wallaroos 3 (Alana Thomas pen goal).

Wallaroos make one change for Second Test against Black Ferns

October 16, 2008 - 5:43pm
Story by: ARU

The Paper to Paper Wallaroos have made one change to the starting side for the Second and final Test of the trans-Tasman series against the New Zealand Black Ferns at Viking Park in Canberra on Saturday.

Kim Wilson from ACT moves off the bench and into the second row in a direct swap with Kate Porter from Australian Services.

Wallaroos coach Steve Hamson said the 37-3 loss to the Black Ferns in the opening match on Tuesday night was disappointing after the Australian women’s team headed into the Test with confidence that they could spring an upset.

“Our lineout just didn’t function well at all,” said Hamson. “We will need to guarantee more possession from that set piece on Saturday.

“We’ve done a lot of work on the lineout, and on our defensive alignment. They are the two areas that we’ve had to focus on.

“We leaked too many points on the outside, even though the New Zealanders do have a lot of pace. I couldn’t question the girls’ commitment or effort in the first game though.

“In the early stages our ball retention was good and we continued to play a sideline to sideline style throughout.”

The Black Ferns have also made one change for game two.

Teresa Te Tamaki has been named in the starting line-up at inside centre, replacing Halie Hurring who moves to the bench.

Reserve forward Monalisa Codling is recovering from an ankle injury and will undergo a fitness test on Friday morning.

The New Zealanders are unbeaten in nine matches against the Wallaroos since the Australians first entered the international ranks in 1994.

However, coach Dale Atkins said there was room for improvement on his side’s victory on Tuesday night

“The Black Ferns want to perform at a higher standard in the second Test than what they achieved in the first match. We need to develop our phase attack and timing in the backline,” he said.

Paper to Paper Wallaroos

1 Lindsay Morgan (ACT)

2 Silei Poluleuligaga (VIC)

3 Kylie Pennell (NSW)

4 Dalena Dennison (NSW)

5 Kim Wilson (ACT)

6 Selena Tranter (QLD)

7 Alexandra Hargreaves (v/c) (NSW)

8 Debby Hodgkinson (WA)

9 Cheryl Soon © (NSW)

10 Alana Thomas (NSW)

11 Nicole Beck (NSW)

12 Tui Ormsby (NSW)

13 Sharni Williams (ACT)

14 Iliseva Batibasaga (QLD)

15 Tricia Brown (QLD)

16 Margaret Watson (NSW)

17 Danielle Meskell (NSW)

18 Tasileta Bethell (QLD)

19 Se’ei Sa’u (QLD)

20 Kate Porter (Australian Services)

21 Selene Thornton (NSW)

22 Melissa Rowe (WA)


New Zealand Black Ferns

1 Stephanie Te Ohaere-Fox (Canterbury)

2 Fiao'o Fa'amausili (Auckland)

3 Beth Mallard (Otago)

4 Kim Smith (Canterbury)

5 Victoria Heighway (Auckland)

6 Melissa Ruscoe (c) (Canterbury)

7 Olivia Coady (Canterbury)

8 Linda Itunu (Auckland)

9 Emma Jensen (Auckland)

10 Anna Richards (Auckland)

11 Carla Hohepa (Otago)

12 Teresa Te Tamaki (Auckland)

13 Huriana Manuel (Auckland)

14 Victoria Grant (Auckland)

15 Hannah Porter (Auckland)

16 Ruth McKay (Manawatu)

17 Doris Taufateau (Auckland)

18 Monalisa Codling (Auckland) or Shannon Willoughby (Hawke’s Bay)

19 Aimee Sutorius (Wellington)

20 Kendra Cocksedge (Canterbury)

21 Rebecca Hull (Manawatu)

22 Halie Hurring (Canterbury)

Paper to Paper Wallaroos passed fit for Second Test

October 17, 2008 - 2:57pm
Story by: ARU

The Paper to Paper Wallaroos have received a boost on the eve of their second Test against the world champion New Zealand Black Ferns with centre Sharni Williams and second rower Dalena Dennison cleared to play in the women’s series finale at Viking Park, Canberra, tomorrow.

Williams and Dennison had been under injury clouds during the week but completed this morning’s Captain’s run to ensure their places in the side for a clash which kicks off at 3pm.

“It’s good that the girls have come through and we’ll have the team selected,” said Wallaroos coach Steve Hamson.

Dennison is expected to play a key role in the Australians’ attempt to overturn the disappointment of Tuesday night when they were beaten 37-3 in the first Test.

“We have to improve the success of our lineout,” said Hamson. “We won only four of 18 from our own throw; that’s pretty terrible.

“We got a couple of theirs too, but not enough. It’s an area we have to improve, and we’ve worked hard on it this week.”

Hamson has also called on his player to keep their focus for the full 80 minutes.

“There were a couple of times we fell asleep on Tuesday and it cost us 14 points,” he said. "There was a try from a quick tap and a try from a quick lineout. We need to keep the concentration going.

“At the same time, the mood is good. We had a long day yesterday and they were still a fraction sore this morning. But this team is up for the challenge.

“They were positive at the Captain’s run today and they’re looking forward to another tilt at the Kiwis.”

The Black Ferns remain unbeaten in nine Tests against the Wallaroos stretching back to 1994 and retained the Laurie O’Reilly Memorial Trophy with their victory in the first Test.

Well done to the ladies after a shocker scoreline in the first Test.
Maybe a victory isn't far off.

Wallaroos edged out in Second Test thriller

October 18, 2008 - 5:37pm
Story by: ARU

The Paper to Paper Wallaroos gave world champions the New Zealand Black Ferns a second half scare before going down 22-16 in the second trans-Tasman Test at Viking Park in Canberra today.

A try to outstanding No.8 Debby Hodgkinson and a conversion from five-eighth Alana Thomas in the opening minute of the second half catapulted the Australians into a 10-8 lead in the series finale.

Competitive across the park and displaying a vast improvement at the lineout – and in defence – after their crushing first Test defeat, the Wallaroos had their nemesis neighbours surprisingly on the back foot.

Australia has never beaten New Zealand in a women’s Test with the two countries first competing at the international level in 1994.

The Black Ferns, reigning World Cup champions from 2006, had won all nine previous Tests against the Wallaroos, including a decisive 37-3 result in Canberra last Tuesday night.

The closest result until this afternoon was an 11-point margin to the Kiwis in Wanganui last year.

However, the Wallaroos ultimate ambition of toppling the Black Ferns was eventually snuffed out by two unanswered tries from the visitors.

Six minutes after Hodgkinson had raised the hopes of a 1200-strong crowd that history was in the making for Australian Women’s Rugby, the New Zealanders stole back the lead with a try through outside centre Huriana Manuel.

Another midway through the second stanza to hooker Fiao’o Fa’amausili, and a second conversion from fullback Hannah Port, pushed the Black Ferns into a buffer zone that an additional two second half penalty goals from Thomas was unable to overcome.

Thomas produced a sound general kicking game on top of her contribution of a conversion and three penalty goals; Hodgkinson was a standout along with fellow backrower Selena Tranter; and rookie winger Nicole Beck produced an outstanding a performance on the wing that suggests her Wallaroos career will be lengthy.

The 20-year-old was only recruited to the game this season after being identified as a likely asset while playing touch football.

The Black Ferns led 8-3 at half time after a try to left winger Carla Hohepa and a penalty goal to Port. Thomas landed a penalty for the Wallaroos.

Wallaroos coach Steve Hamson was delighted with the performance.

“We turned up tonight which was good,” he said, “I asked them to work on a few things for this game and they did, so you can’t question the effort or the commitment.

“On Tuesday night we probably played for half an hour. In this one we were in there for the whole 80 minutes.

“As I said to the girls later, they were playing the world champions, not some mugs from up the road, and it was a marked improvement from the first Test.

“I guess where it hurts is that we got so close and if you’re close enough you’re good enough.

“We just couldn’t quite get it over the line, but we have shown over the past two seasons that we are closing the gap on the Black Ferns.”

New Zealand Black Ferns 22 (Huriana Manuel, Fiao’o Fa’amausili, Carla Hohepa tries; Hannah Port 2 cons, pen goal) def Paper to Paper Wallaroos 16 (Debby Hodgkinson try, Alana Thomas con, 3 pen goals) at Viking Park Canberra. Crowd: Around 1200.

cheryl Soon played over here until moving to NSW a couple of years ago