Wallaroos Gear Up for Fiji Test Amidst Strategic Shift and New Talent
The Australian women’s rugby union team, the Wallaroos, are set to face Fiji at GIO Stadium this Friday, marking a significant moment as they commence their journey towards the 2029 Rugby World Cup, which Australia will proudly host. This upcoming match, however, presents a unique challenge for both the Wallaroos and their Fijian counterparts, as both teams enter the fixture with limited recent game time.
The Super W competition, Australia’s domestic women’s rugby league, has been strategically rescheduled to June, allowing greater preparation time for international fixtures. This shift means the Wallaroos will have an extended pre-season, a situation that vice-captain Emily Chancellor describes as a “double-edged sword.”
“It’s a double-edged sword, because we’ve had so much time together, we’ve had three internal games that we’ve absolutely bashed the bleep out of each other,” Chancellor explained. “That has been an absolute bonus because we don’t get the opportunities to play a physical game with the Australia versus Australia concept. It’s been hard because we haven’t got that complete game fitness, but we also have far more cohesion than we have ever had before.”
Despite the lack of competitive match practice, Chancellor is optimistic about the Wallaroos’ prospects against Fiji, a team they have a strong historical record against, having not lost to them in their last four encounters. The extended pre-season, while impacting match fitness, has fostered a deeper understanding and connection within the squad.
This period has also seen a significant injection of new talent into the Wallaroos’ ranks. Six new players are set to debut for the Fiji Test, a move that Chancellor believes has injected a fresh wave of energy and enthusiasm into the team. This influx of new faces comes in the wake of a disappointing quarter-final exit from the Rugby World Cup last September, where the Wallaroos suffered a heavy defeat to Canada.
“This is the beginning of the next four-year cycle, and it’s a blank slate… To sit and dwell on past results doesn’t necessarily get you anywhere positive,” Chancellor stated, reflecting on the team’s mindset. “I am so energised by the new group that’s coming through. They’re fearless, they’re fit, and they’re skillful. The two back-rowers (Dillyn Blackburn and Lily Bone) who have joined this squad this year are awesome. They’ve both got so much energy.”
The Fiji Test also marks another significant transition for the Wallaroos, as it will be their first match without the guidance of former coach Jo Yapp, who has returned to England for personal reasons. Stepping into the interim coaching role is Sam Needs. Rugby Australia is expected to appoint a full-time head coach following the Pacific Four Series, which commences in April.
Chancellor has expressed her confidence in Needs’ coaching style, highlighting his organised and structured approach to training. “As a type A human, I love how organised he (Needs) is and how structured training is. You know exactly where you stand with him,” she commented. “He’s a pretty black and white character, and that can be confronting at times, but it’s also something that really helps the girls grow in resilience.”
The Wallaroos’ upcoming international schedule is robust, with further matches planned against formidable opponents including New Zealand, the USA, and Canada. This series of games will be crucial in their development and preparation for the 2029 World Cup on home soil. The team’s strategic shift, embracing new talent and a structured approach under interim leadership, signals a clear intent to build a stronger, more cohesive unit capable of competing on the world stage. The Fiji Test serves as the crucial first step in this ambitious four-year plan, aiming to rectify past disappointments and forge a new era of success for Australian women’s rugby.
