Preview: Wallaroos vs Black Ferns

Match Details: New Zealand v Australia, Dolphins Stadium, Brisbane, 7.05 pm (9.05 pm NZT) June 29, 2023

Played: 23

Won: New Zealand 23, Australia 0

Last time: New Zealand 41-17 Australia, Eden Park, October 8, 2022

Referee: Aimee Barrett-Theron

Watch: Sky Sport or Prime TV in New Zealand

FORM

The Wallaroos have had one game already this year, a 22-5 win over Fiji women in Sydney on May 20. The game is the first for the Black Ferns in 2023.

DIFFERENT CHALLENGE

It's one thing winning a World Cup; it's another to maintain the momentum of that success, especially when personnel changes are tasked with building from that Cup base. Rugby World Cup-winning co-captain and first five-eighths Ruahei Demand is up for the challenge. "The way we played last year, with the courage and the freedom we built, has definitely been the foundation and how we would still like to play," she said. Part of the process during the Pacific Four Series is to bridge the gap between the World Cup side and the new-look Black Ferns, who will field six debutantes against Australia before their trip to Canada and the United States to complete the series.

NEW LEADER

Lock Michaela Leonard will captain the Wallaroos for the first time, with former captain Shannon Parry now retired and new captain Piper Duck out injured. Leonard said she was excited to take on the role. "Being a part of the Wallaroos for the past five years has been a massive part of my life, and all of us. The sacrifices we make, the structures and what we strive for, and I think being seen by our coaching staff as having the qualities to lead that squad out is something that will be a lasting memory for me." She will be boosted by the return of three players who played part of the northern season for Harlequins, Arabella McKenzie, Emily Chancellor and blindside flanker Kaitlan Leaney. Ash Marsters will move to the openside flank in a bigger Australian pack than in recent times.