Wallabies captain James Slipper, who watched the Wallaroos’ emotional opener for their World Cup campaign ‘huddled around a telephone’ at a wedding last weekend, has called for more alliances game day with the women’s team.
The men’s and women’s teams met in Adelaide where the Wallaroos took on the Black Ferns ahead of the Wallabies’ victory over South Africa.
“It would be great to have a doubleheader, every game it would be great,” Slipper told The Roar Rugby podcast.
“There is real value in that. Fans would like to see it, it brings another section of fans who want to see the women’s game and [would] create that carnival feel.
“The men’s team really enjoyed watching the girls as we warmed up and prepared, and we were right behind them.”
Slipper was at the wedding of former Brumbies teammate Lachlan McCaffrey last Saturday when the Aussies opened against New Zealand. The Wallaroos ran in three quick tries before being defeated in the second half at a time when they were two players short of yellow cards.
“There were a few of us huddled around the phone watching the girls go to war,” Slipper said. “The boys were doing yahoo when they come out at 17-0. But this Black Ferns team is quite a practical team and the class shone in the second half.
Slipper said he thought the Wallaroos would gain confidence from their performance in this week’s must-win game against Scotland.
“Confidence is huge in a World Cup. You have to string together a few games and get the results you want,” Slipper said. high and will develop a lot of confidence going into the next game.”
He said he hoped for closer ties between the teams in the future.
“We would like to do more with women,” Slipper said. “But the schedules are so difficult. Being in the same place as the women’s team is very difficult.
Meanwhile, Wallaroos winger Maya Stewart is set to make her World Cup debut, replacing Ivania Wong in the line-up against Scotland.
Tighthead prop Eva Karpani has been added to the starting squad in place of Bridie O’Gorman, who is moving to reserve.
“Even though the game at Eden Park didn’t go our way last weekend, it was invaluable experience for the team,” captain Shannon Parry said.
“Everyone is on the same page this weekend, we are all aiming for the same goal and our training reflects that.
“There has been a change in our intensity and the team are eager to compete against Scotland.”
Lori Cramer will start at No.15 with double try scorer Bienne Terita and Stewart on the wings and Pauline Piliae-Rasabale returning to the bench.
“The team is incredibly excited to welcome Maya Stewart on her debut this weekend,” said coach Jay Tregonning.
“His journey has been remarkable – coming back from an ACL injury is never easy, but Stewart has done it with a smile the whole way.
“As a team we have analyzed our performance against New Zealand, refocused our goals and are aiming for victory this weekend.”
The match kicks off at 1:00 p.m. AEDT at the Northland Events Center in Whangarei.
The game will be broadcast live, ad-free and on-demand on Stan Sport.
Wallaroos 1-15: Liz Patu, Adiana Talakai, Eva Karpani, Sera Naiqama, Atasi Lafai, Emily Chancellor, Shannon Parry (C), Grace Hamilton, Iliseva Batibasaga, Arabella McKenzie, Maya Stewart, Sharni Williams, Georgina Friedrichs, Bienne Terita, Lori Cramer.
Reservations: Ashley Marsters, Emily Robinson, Bridie O’Gorman, Grace Kemp, Piper Duck, Layne Morgan,
Trilleen Pomare, Pauline Piliae-Rasabale.
Rona on her way to Japan
There has been a development in the curious case of Curtis Rona, the former Wallaby heading to rugby in Japan after leaving the London Irish.
It was reported earlier this week in Australia that Rona was considered a rookie by the Gold Coast Titans NRL club, but it appears he remains in the 15s game.
“Curtis Rona is set to leave London Irish with immediate effect to pursue an opportunity to play in Japan,” the London Irish said in a statement on Thursday.
“Rona, who made 77 appearances and scored 16 tries for the Exiles, made the decision to leave after initially joining the club in preparation for the 2019/20 campaign.”
The statement quoted Rona saying: “Thank you to the supporters and everyone at London Irish for making me feel so welcome at the club from day one of my arrival. I would like to thank the players, staff and coaches for everything they have done for me, and I wish the London Irish nothing but the best for the future.
Rona, 30, played three times for Australia in 2017. He disappeared from his club last week, refusing to answer calls from club officials.
Jantjies on their way to France
Elton Jantjies is set to relaunch his career in French rugby after the scandal involving him with the Boks dietitian.
French reports suggest the incident involving Jantjies and Zeenat Simjee which saw the duo sent home after the Argentina tour may have made the player unpalatable to his Japanese employers, the Red Hurricanes.
A French publication says he is close to an agreement with Toulon.
“This week should allow the RCT to finalize the arrival of the South African world champion… it’s only a matter of days and details. Elton Jantjies will join, barring last-minute setbacks, Toulon as an additional player,” Midi Olympique reported.
Iva and Elton Jantjies (Source: Instagram)
“The South African, ousted from the Springboks for a liaison in September, will be officially dismissed by his Japanese franchise for the same reason.
“In the process, he should finalize his commitment to the RCT with immediate effect. The Var club had been looking for a half-out for several months to assist Ihaia West.
“The arrival of Jantjies is made possible by the early departure of Julien Blanc from Castres, which freed up a place in the red and black squad. Jantjies’ contract is expected to last until the end of the season.
Wasps on the edge of the abyss
Dark financial clouds continue to hang over British rugby with Wasps suspended from the Premiership after announcing they are ‘likely’ to go into administration ‘within days’.
The club have twice asked insolvency experts to help them settle their debts, which amount to tens of millions of pounds, reports the BBC.
They risk becoming the second team to go into administration weeks after Worcester suffered the same fate.
“We appreciate that this is a very difficult time for Wasps players, staff and supporters who will be concerned by news that the club is likely to enter administration,” the Rugby Football Union said in a statement. communicated.
“The RFU will continue to work with the club, PRL and any potential administrators or future investors to find the best possible outcome for the club.”
Wasps can reapply for the suspension to be lifted if they can demonstrate the means and commitment to pay their rugby creditors.
In a statement, Wasps Holdings Limited said they had worked to secure the future of the club.
“We strongly believe this is the right course of action,” the statement added.
Wasps will not be able to take part in this week’s Premiership game at Exeter, recognizing that “this will not only impact our players, staff and supporters, but also the leaders of Exeter and the community of the rugby in the broadest sense.
Worcester were suspended and relegated to the Championship, a day after players and staff had their contracts terminated.
All Blacks and Force sponsor faces corruption charges
There could be stormy financial waters ahead for the All Blacks and Western Force too with their billionaire sponsor Mohed Altrad facing corruption charges.
La Force have an agreement with the club Altrad owns in France – Montpellier Hérault, the Sydney Morning Herald report.
La Force declined to comment on the SMH but the writer, Georgina Robinson, said they “will watch with interest when the Paris Criminal Court delivers its verdict in December”.
The case, which also involves World Rugby vice-chairman Bernard Laporte, is much bigger for New Zealand Rugby, which last year signed a six-year, $120 million deal with Altrad.
SMH says prosecutors built their case around an alleged “corruption pact” in which Altrad struck a €180,000 image rights deal with Laporte in 2017.
“The former France coach and FFR president then pressured the Top 14 appeal committee to lift sanctions against Altrad club Montpellier for unfurling protest banners at the stadium. Altrad of the club,” writes the Herald.
“Later that year, Altrad was confirmed as the first sponsor of the French national team shirt forward in a deal worth $60 million. Laporte pulled out. of the image rights deal after it was revealed in the media.
“Both men have strenuously denied the allegations, with their defense attorneys claiming the case was a witch hunt designed to bring down two major contributors to French rugby.”
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