WXV 2, Round Two - teams and predictions

PREVIEW: This weekend’s WXV 2 action kicks off on Friday at the Athlone Stadium with a Wales versus Italy battle.

On Saturday, there is a double-header  – Japan face a stern test in the shape of defending champions Scotland and the hosts South Africa take on Australia.

Fresh from a 31-24 win over Japan, South Africa will want to continue with their positive start when they gear up for one of their toughest challenges in the WXV 2 against Australia.

Currently seventh on the World Rankings, the Wallaroos made a big statement with their 37-5 win over Wales in Round One.

It will certainly be an interesting match-up with both teams playing very different styles.

South Africa’s forwards will again be the main driving force after dominating Japan.

However, their kicking game will have to be in tip-top shape to overcome the Wallaroos, who will be out to exploit any weakness.

The two teams have played on three occasions with the last Test in the 2014 World Cup.

On all three occasions, the Wallaroos have been victorious.

*Article continues below…

“Australia is a very good side, so we have to bring our ‘A’ game and more,” said coach Swys de Bruin.

“If you give them time and space they really eat you. They get their front foot ball and recycle the ball quickly.

“So we have to try to keep the ball and secondly if they have possession make it ugly and slow it down.

“They play a total game, they take it to the middle and split you both sides. They also have a good kicking game.”

De Bruin added: “They played well against Wales and that was probably the best performance of round one.

“For us though, it is all about ourselves and how we can best elevate our strengths and minimise our errors. We have a strategy for this match, have prepared well, and will be ready to deliver a good performance at Athlone Stadium.”

Despite the visitors’ winning record over South Africa, head coach Jo Yapp is not underestimating South Africa, who has been recording some noteworthy wins.

“South Africa have been recording some big wins and are on the up. So we are not taking them lightly,” Yapp said.

“They have some strong ball carriers, who like to attack close to the ruck. They are very physical and we know we need to front up.

“We were happy with parts of our game but know there’s room for improvement in other areas and South Africa will present a big challenge on home turf.”

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The Wallaroos made some tweaks after their WXV 2 opener. Veteran centre Cecilia Smith comes in for Trilleen Pomare.

It is a big occasion for Wallaroos flank Ashley Marsters, who will equal the record for all-time most appearances set by Liz Patu with 33 caps this weekend.

Lusanda Dumke takes the captain’s armband for the Springbok Women.

Dumke, playing in her 32nd Test, will captain the side for the third time in her career, having led South Africa twice against Kenya in 2021. She takes over the role from Nolusindiso Booi, who will play off the bench, from where she will be extending her national record to 48 Test caps.

Danelle Lochner swops jerseys with Booi in the other change to the starting pack.

Bok Women star Libbie Janse Van Rensburg will miss the match after picking up a leg injury.

*In the other fixture, centre Hannah Jones returns to captain Wales against Italy after missing the last three games and partners Kerin Lake in midfield.

Jasmine Joyce, the three-time GB Olympian, moves to fullback with Carys Cox switched to wing with Nel Metcalfe on the other wing.

“We have reviewed the performance against Australia and know the areas we need to tighten up on against Italy,” said Wales head coach Ioan Cunningham.

“We created opportunities against the Wallaroos and need to be more clinical and turn those chances into points.

“This is a short turnaround, and we have had to deal with disruptions and withdrawals, but we are focussed on producing a performance against Italy.

“We have emphasised the physical intensity we need to bring to every performance for the whole 80 minutes and how important that is when you wear the red jersey.

“Italy will be hurting after their defeat to Scotland like we are after the opening game against Australia, and both teams will feel they have a point to prove on Friday.

“We have won our last two games against Italy in the Six Nations, but this is a different tournament and WXV2 is proving a real competitive benchmark for all the teams.”

Meanwhile,  Scotland Women head coach Bryan Easson has made six changes and one position switch to the side which beat Italy, as the team prepares to take on Japan in round two of WXV 2.

There are four changes to a freshened forward pack with Leah Bartlett returning at loosehead, joining Lana Skeldon and Christine Belisle in the front row, both players retaining their jerseys from last weekend.

Louise McMillan is selected to join Sarah Bonar in the second row. Alex Stewart comes in to start alongside captain Rachel Malcolm at openside and blindside flank respectively, anchored by Jade Konkel, who returns to the No.8 jersey.

Helen Nelson and Caity Mattinson will continue to pull the strings at flyhalf and scrumhalf.

Meryl Smith shifts from inside centre to outside, with double Olympian Lisa Thomson joining her in the midfield.

Rhona Lloyd returns to the starting line-up, joining Chloe Rollie and Francesca McGhie in the back-three positions.

Once again, Easson has opted for a five-three split of forwards and backs with Elis Martin, Anne Young, Lisa Cockburn, Eva Donaldson and Evie Gallagher in line for another cap from the bench. Leia Brebner-Holden, Emma Orr and Lucia Scott complete the match-day 23 as the backs replacements.

* All the Round Two teams and predictions are below …

Friday, October 4 

Wales v Italy
(Athlone Stadium, Cape Town – Kick-off: 16.00; 14.00 GMT; 15.00 UK time; 16.00 Italy time)

Prediction
@rugby365com: Wales by five points

Teams:

Wales Women: 15 Jasmine Joyce, 14 Carys Cox, 13 Hannah Jones (captain) 12 Kerin Lake, 11 Nel Metcalfe, 10 Lleucu George, 9 Keira Bevan; 8 Bethan Lewis, 7 Alex Callender, 6 Alisha Butchers, 5 Georgia Evans, 4 Natalia John, 3 Donna Rose, 2 Carys Phillips, 1 Gwenllian Pyrs.
Replacements: 16 Molly Reardon, 17 Maisie Davies, 18 Sisilia Tuipulotu, 19 Alaw Pyrs, 20 Kate Williams, 21 Sian Jones, 22 Kayleigh Powell, 23 Courtney Keight

Italy Women: TBC

Referee: Ella Goldsmith (Australia)
Assistant Referees: Amelia Luciano (USA) & Local
TMO: Aaron Paterson (New Zealand)

Saturday, October 5

Japan v Scotland
(Athlone Stadium, Cape Town – Kick-off: 14.00; 12.00 GMT; 21.00 JPN Time, 13.00 UK Time)

Prediction
@rugby365com: Scotland by seven points

Teams:

Japan Women: TBC

Scotland Women: 15 Chloe Rollie, 14 Rhona Lloyd, 13 Meryl Smith, 12 Lisa Thomson, 11 Francesca McGhie, 10 Helen Nelson, 9 Caity Mattinson, 8 Jade Konkel, 7 Alex Stewart, 6 Rachel Malcolm (captain), 5 Sarah Bonar, 4 Louise McMillan, 3 Christine Belisle, 2 Lana Skeldon, 1 Leah Bartless
Replacements: 16 Elis Martin, 17 Anne Young, 18 Lisa Cockburn, 19 Eva Donaldson, 20 Evie Gallagher, 21 Leia Brebner-Holden, 22 Emma Orr, 23 Lucia Scott

Referee: Zoe Naude (South Africa)
Assistant Referees: Clara Munarini (Italy) & Local
TMO: Matteo Liperini (Italy)

South Africa v Australia
(Athlone Stadium, Cape Town – Kick-off: 17.00; 15.00 GMT; 01.00 Sunday, Oct 6 AEST)

Prediction
@rugby365com: Australia by 15 points

South Africa Women: 15 Eloise Webb, 14 Jakkie Cilliers, 13 Zintle Mpupha, 12 Chumisa Qawe, 11 Ayanda Malinga, 10 Nadine Roos, 9 Unam Tose, 8 Aseza Hele, 7 Sinazo Mcatshulwa, 6 Lusando Dumke (captain), 5 Vainah Ubisi, 4 Danelle Lochner, 3 Babalwa Latsha, 2 Roseline Botes, 1 Sanelisiwe Charlie.
Replacements: 16 Micke Gunter, 17 Yonela Ngxingolo, 18 Azisa Mkiva, 19 Nolusindiso Booi, 20 Catha Jacobs, 21 Sizophila Solontsi, 22 Felicia Jacobs, 23 Byrhandre Dolf.

Australia Women: 15 Catilyn Halse, 14 Maya Stewart, 13 Georgina Friedrichs, 12 Cecilia Smith, 11 Desiree Miller, 10 Faitala Moleka, 9 Layne Morgan, 8 Tabua Tuinakauvadra, 7 Ashley Marsters, 6 Siokapesi Palu, 5 Michaela Leonard, 4 Kaitlan Leaney, 3 Evan Karpani, 2 Tania Naden, 1 Bridle O’Gorman
Replacements: 16 Tiarna Molloy, 17 Lydioa Kavoa, 18 Allana Sikimeti, 19 Atasi Lafai, 20 Lucy Dinnen, 21 Samantha Wood, 22 Trilleen Pomare, 23 Lori Cramer

Referee: Precious Pazani (Zimbabwe)
Assistant Referees: Amelia Luciano (USA) & Maria Latos (Germany)
TMO: Estelle Whaiapu (New Zealand)