Wallaroos’ depth providing selection headaches ahead of NZ clashes
Wallaroos head coach Dwayne Nestor said the team will have to continue their ruthlessness if they are to stand a chance against the Black Ferns in three weeks' time.
While the Wallaroos confidence is high after two wins against Japan, there are a few areas Nestor is keen to work on before the showdown with the world champions, with one eye also looking ahead to the 2021 World Cup.
“I think consistency is a good one for us," he said. "Once we get that set-piece and scrum to a level where we are comfortable being able to compete and put pressure on every other team in the world, that puts us in that realm … that's close to world-class."
This week seventh-ranked Australians won their first bilateral Test series on home soil, thrashing Japan 34-5 in Newcastle last week and 46-3 in Fridays game at North Sydney Oval.
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The matches gave the Wallaroos an invaluable opportunity to hone their skills and debut new players, including Alysia Lefau-Fakaosilea, Eva Karpani, Shannon Mato and Lori Cramer.
With the newest Wallaroos additions proving themselves, Nestor said hell have a “selection headache” heading into the games against New Zealand.
“Its a nice headache to have,” he said.
Nestor said the Japan series was good preparation ahead of the Black Ferns clash in August, placing the team in a better position than last year when the Wallaroos suffered two heavy defeats to the Kiwis.
Yet nothing is being left to chance. Over the next few weeks, the team will devise their game plan by reviewing footage from the womens super rugby series and studying Frances recent 25-16 win over New Zealand.
“Its about us being able to play to our girls' strengths, not just pigeonholing them because they are in a position, but giving them roles that suit their strengths,” Nestor said.