women
international women
NSW Waratahs and Warringah Rats wing Lily Gillett made history in Christchurch on Saturday night, becoming the first player to score a try for Australia NextGen U21. Gillett’s attempt led to a confrontation New Zealand The U21s at 5-all, before the hosts ran out 43-10 winners.
Rugby Australia unveiled the inaugural 35-man NextGen squad on October 12, with several Wallaroos names. Coach Iliseva Batibasaga invited Faitala Molek, Waiaria Ellis, Piper Simons and Amelia Whitaker for the clash with the New Zealanders.
Moleka was crowned the Wallaroos Player of the Year just last week at the annual Rugby Australia Awards and was named NextGen co-captain earlier in the day. Ellis and Moleka formed a 10-15 combination, just as they had for the Wallaroos against Scotland.
Anahera Hamahona captained the New Zealand team, while centers Ella Henderson and Naomi Sopoaga shared vice-captain duties. Henderson broke through several takedowns and scored the first try of the match around the four minute mark.
New Zealand held onto that five-point lead for the next 10 minutes, before the Aussie backs made the play from a scrum set-piece. Simmons sent the ball right to left, and the women in gold spread the ball through their hands to the left side.
Whitaker delivered the final pass to Gillett, who beat several New Zealanders in a short race for the try line. Whitaker and Simmons were the first two to score as the team briefly celebrated the historic result.
But two quick-fire tries from winger Lialani Muuama and a strike from Amber Mundell saw New Zealand take a 24-5 lead before half-time. Sariyah Paitai was first to strike in the second term, before Henderson fed a precise cut ball to Presayus Singh for another try.
New Zealand took control at 36-5 but Australia continued to fight until the final bell as Wallaroo players and NextGen co-captain Ruby Anderson set up Gillett for another. Anderson was moved to number 11, which he crossed with about 11 minutes to go.
Keira Su’a-Smith had the final say on the try to score in the contest, with the substitute kicking the ball forward to beat Ellis to the loose ball. Australia had the ball inside the opposition 22 on the final play of the match, but a knock-on ended the contest.
“I came out of the Wallaroos area but it wasn’t about me, it was about the opportunity I was able to be a part of and I’m so privileged and honored to be a part of it,” Moleka said after the game at Sky Sports broadcasting.
“To co-captain with my good friend Ruby, it’s something that we girls as a whole have not taken lightly. It starts here… I know we haven’t shown the talent and potential that these young girls have on the field, but if we just continue to invest in that space and in the grassroots, I’m sure in the years to come, in 2029 (the World Cup) it will definitely be at home, this will definitely tell you that they will be fighting for a place for the girls there.
“It’s an absolute honor and privilege to be here, even in this stadium.”
Australia NextGen U21 who played New Zealand U21
1. Avenger Brown (NSW Waratahs/Hunter Wildfires)
2. Millie Parker (ACT Brumbies/Avoca Beach Rugby)
3. Allana Sikimeti (Western Force/Norths Eagles)
4. Lola Harvison (NSW Waratahs/Lindfield Rugby)
5. India McWilliam (Queensland Reds/Coomera Crushers)
6. Ruby Anderson (c) (NSW Waratahs/Avoca Beach Rugby)
7. Lily Bone (ACT Brumbies/Orange City)
8. Sophia Wilson (NSW Waratahs/Randwick Rugby)
9. Piper Simmons (NSW Waratahs/Gordon Rugby)
10. Waiaria Ellis (NSW Waratahs/Blacktown Scorpions)
11. Lily Gillett (NSW Waratahs/Warringah Rats)
12. Ava Wereta (Queensland Reds/Coomera Crushers)
13. Luciana Vesikula (NSW Waratahs/Oatley Rugby)
14. Amelia Whitaker (NSW Waratahs/Randwick Rugby)
15. Faitala Moleka (c) (ACT Brumbies/Blacktown Scorpions)
Substitutions
16. Siusiuosalafai Volkman (NSW Waratahs/Sydney University)
17. Keira MacAskill (Western Force/Wests Scarborough)
18. Angela Littler (NSW Waratahs/Mudgee Wombats)
19. Sofaia Talemaira (Western Force/Wanneroo Rugby Club)
20. Fagase Tupoola-Balale (Queensland Reds/Bond Pirates)
21. Maronay Smuts (ACT Brumbies/Uni-North Owls)
22. Georgie Hayes (ACT Brumbies/Wagga Crows)
23. Sonrae Lui (ACT Brumbies/Canberra Royals)
