Smarting Wallaroos eyeing redemption against Fiji
Stung by a hat-trick of Pacific Four series losses, the Wallaroos are intent on notching an elusive first win of the year against Fiji in Sydney.
Australia face the Fijiana at Allianz Stadium on Saturday looking to bounce back from disappointing defeats to New Zealand, the USA and Canada.
"There's been a lot of motivation coming in," skipper Michaela Leonard said at Friday's captain's run.
"We didn't come away with results that we wanted to after the Pac Four but we know we have a lot more to give.
"So we've had a really positive couple of weeks of training sharpening our systems, getting some new combinations going, and we'll be ready to come out this weekend and put on a bit more of a performance."
Despite being ranked nine spots below Australia at No.14 in the world, the athletic Fijians pose a formidable threat, as club side the Fijian Drua proved en route to the 2023 Super W title and this year's final.
"The thing everyone loves about Fiji is they are exciting and they play that unconventional, free-flowing rugby," Leonard said.
"So the benefits for us is that all of the girls have had a chance to play against a lot of the players throughout the Super W campaign.
"It's been more about focusing this week on our systems, what we need to execute, and putting the trust and the faith in that.
"If we get it right, we'll still come away with the result."
Wallaroos coach Jo Yapp has included four debutants, with ACT Brumbies trio Biola Dawa, Allana Sikimeti and Lydia Kavoa joining Queensland's Natalie Wright as the fresh faces in the match-day 23.
"It's really exciting and some really deserving players too - Lydia, Natty, Allana, Biola, all girls you want out on the field, people you want to play next to," Leonard said.
"They really display that Wallaroos culture that we love to see; big energy from them.
"I'm expecting some real excitement and big hits from Lydia and Allana, Natty girl scooting around the rucks and Biola is really fast, really strong so I'm expecting some big things from her as well."
