Emily Chancellor will return to the Waratahs Women’s side as captain in Sunday’s crucial Round 5 Swyftx Super Rugby Women’s clash against the Reds at Leichhardt Oval (4.05pm kick-off AEST).
Chancellor, 34, led the Barbarians out against Wales at Twickenham last weekend, meaning she missed our Round 4 defeat to the Western Force in Perth.
She is one of four changes to the starting line-up, with Bridie O’Gorman, Ruby Anderson and Martha Harvey also selected.
Head coach Michael Ruthven was looking forward to seeing his team bounce back after last weekend’s defeat to the Western Force.
“We have made some adjustments to our line-up this week to ensure we have some real punch and physicality in the second half,” Ruthven said.
“We are really excited to have Caitlyn Halse back available this week. She showed her ability to influence a game in the first half against the Fijian Drua in Round 1. Em Chancellor also comes back into the starting team this week and we welcome her experience and leadership.
“Martha Harvey earns an opportunity to start at nine this week. Martha has been working really hard around her craft and we are excited for her to get this opportunity.”
O’Gorman will earn her 38th Super Rugby Women’s cap, at tighthead prop, and is recalled to the XV in an all-Wallaroo front-row alongside Britt Merlo and Brianna Hoy.
The partnership of Leilani Nathan and Leaney continues in the second-row, ever-present this season.
In the back-row, 19-year-old Anderson makes her first start of the season at blindside flanker, with Chancellor returning at openside, becoming the equal-fifth most-capped Waratah in Super Rugby Women’s with 30 caps. Piper Duck shifts from flanker to the back of the scrum at number eight.
Harvey, 22, earns her first start of the season with Piper Simons picking up an injury against the Force. Dutchwoman Pleuni Kievit starts again at fly-half.
Rosie Ferguson and Georgina Friedrichs retain their partnership in the centres. Friedrichs scored a double in the competition’s final between the two teams at North Sydney Oval last season.
The back three remains the same as last weekend, with Desiree Miller and Amelia Whitaker both scoring tries against the Force. Waiaria Ellis is again named at full-back after her first appearance of the season in Perth.
On the bench, Faliki Pohiva is named as tight-head prop cover after her try-scoring performance last weekend, while in the backs Caitlyn Halse comes back into the squad for the first time since Round 1 following injury.
Ahead of the final round of the regular season, the top three teams in the Swyftx Super Rugby Women’s standings, the Fijian Drua, Waratahs and Western Force, can all host a semi-final clash. Should the Waratahs and the Force secure bonus point wins, they will all end up on 14 points and will be split by points differential. Should the Waratahs better the Western Force’s result and win with a bonus point, they will finish top of the ladder.
Buy tickets for the Waratahs Women’s must-win clash against the Queensland Reds at Leichhardt Oval on Sunday here.
NSW Waratahs Women v Queensland Reds Women
Round 5, Swyftx Super Rugby Women’s, Sunday 5 July, 4.05pm kick-off AEST, live on Stan Sport
Leichhardt Oval, 68 Mary St, Lilyfield, NSW 2040 Starting XV:
- Brianna Hoy
- Brittany Merlo
- Bridie O’Gorman
- Leilani Nathan
- Kaitlan Leaney (vc)
- Ruby Anderson
- Emily Chancellor ©
- Piper Duck
- Martha Harvey
- Pleuni Kievit
- Desiree Miller (vc)
- Rosie Ferguson
- Georgina Friedrichs
- Amelia Whitaker
- Waiaria Ellis
Replacements:
16. Nancy Volkman
17. Emily Robinson
18. Faliki Pohiva
19. Grace Gillies
20. Nicole Nathan
21. Taj Heald
22. Edie Burke
23. Caitlyn Halse
