Wallaroos, Batibasaga face Samoa

ARU.com/Fiji TImes - Thursday, August 06, 2009 12:28 PM

ILISEVA Batibasaga is in a new look 24-member Wallaroos squad in Apia to take on Samoa in a must win World Cup qualifier Test match against Samoa on August 7.

Iliseva, who is the daughter of former Fiji Test halfback Isimeli Batibasaga, has been a regular for the Auistralia women’s national team for the last two seasons.

She also plays halfback or can fit in as a utility.

A new head coach will lead the Paper to Paper Wallaroos.

John Manenti, a forwards coach at the Eastwood Rugby Club in Sydney, has been awarded the top job. In 2008 Manenti coached the Australian Under 20s and two years earlier was the assistant coach of the Wallaroos.

Manenti describes his new look Wallaroos squad as “motivated, competitive and ambitious.”

“In the squad of 24 we have seven new faces,” Manenti said.

“In the mix there are a few young players who will be around for the next 10 years or so and there are some older girls who have worked hard for a long time and now get their chance.”

The debutants in the squad are; Rebecca Clough (21, WA), Kristy Giteau (27, ACT), Ashley Hewson (29, ACT), Stacey Kilmister (32, WA), Emerena Marsh (28, ACT), Cobie Morgan (21, NSW) and Natalie Reid (21, VIC)

This fresh Wallaroos talent was discovered earlier this month at the Australian Women’s National Championships (15s) on the Gold Coast.

To qualify for the 2010 Women’s Rugby World Cup the Paper to Paper Wallaroos must defeat Samoa on August 7. Australia and Samoa are competing for the Oceania position in the draw.

New Zealand automatically qualified after winning the 2006 World Cup in Canada.

Fiji missed out on hosting the qualifying series because FRU cited lack of funding.

WALLAROOS: Iliseva Batibasaga (Qld)Nicole Beck, Tricia Brown,Rebecca Clough, alena Dennison, Kristy Giteau, Alexandra Hargreaves, Ashley Hewson, Debby Hodgkinson, Stacey Kilmister, Emerena Marsh, Danielle Meskell,Cobie Morgan, Tui Ormsby, lie Penne, Silei Poluleuligaga, Kate Porter, Natalie Reid, Chris Ross, Se'ei Sa'u, Ruan Sims, Cheryl Soon (CAPTAIN).Rebecca Trethowan, Sharni Williams.