Wales have faced Australia twice in pool play in previous World Cups and have yet to register a victory against the Wallaroos. In 2002 (in Barcelona) Australia ran out comfortable 30-0 winners while four years ago in Guildford they had to work harder before prevailing 26-12.
Going in to the match against Australia tomorrow, Wales have been handed a fitness boost with Laurie Harries, Jenny Hawkins and Elen Evans all declared fit to play. Evans will start the match from the bench after Robyn Wilkins gets the nod at outside centre in what Wales head coach Rhys Edwards describes as a ‘tactical switch.’
It is the only change to the starting line-up which lost 26-0 to hosts France last Friday. On the bench Sian Williams and Elli Norkett are introduced to World Cup rugby for the first time while experienced prop Jenny Davies drops out of the match-day squad altogether.
Despite the defeat, Edwards was encouraged by his team’s performance against France although he is hoping his team can become more clinical at the highest level.
“The back three of Laurie Harries, Philippa Tuttiett and Adi Taviner were very strong against France and we’ll be looking at them to lead the charge against Australia,” he said.
“For the majority of the game against France we played very well but we have to learn to capitalise on our chances as at this level you cannot afford to squander opportunities. Our strike rate needs to improve as against France we were unable to score once from 11 chances while France scored four tries from six clear cut chances.
“We go in to the match against Australia in a similar position to when we played USA in the warm-up games. We didn’t know a lot about them and that worked in our favour as we had to focus on our own game and not worry too much about theirs.
“We always knew France was going to be a tough ask but the girls know that if they reproduce that sort of performance against Australia we have a good chance of getting a result they deserve,” added Edwards.
Women’s Rugby World Cup:
Wales Women v Australia Women, Tuesday 2pm (UK), Marcoussis.
15 Laurie Harries (Llandaff North)
14 Adi Taviner (Neath Athletic)
13 Robyn Wilkins (Llandaff North)
12 Rebecca de Filippo (Bristol Ladies)
11 Philippa Tuttiett (Bristol Ladies)
10 Elinor Snowsill (Bristol Ladies)
9 Amy Day (Llandaff North);
8 Sioned Harries (Llandaff North)
7 Rachel Taylor (Bristol Ladies – Capt)
6 Catrina Nicholas (Llandaff North)
5 Shona Powell-Hughes (Neath Athletic)
4 Jenny Hawkins (Llandaff North)
3 Megan York (Blaenau Gwent)
2 Lowri Harries (Neath Athletic)
1 Caryl Thomas (Bath Ladies)
Replacements:
16 Carys Phillips (Bristol Ladies)
17 Catrin Edwards (Bristol Ladies)
18 Nia Davies (Bristol Ladies)
19 Sian Williams (Worcester)
20 Sian Moore (Bristol Ladies)
21 Elen Evans (Waterloo)
22 Elli Norkett (Neath Athletic)
