3 minute read

Arabella McKenzie will return to the Wallaroos' starting side as playmaker when they face Wales for the second time in eight days, but on a different continent.

The Wallaroos are still smarting from the one that got away in Wales ahead of a rematch, in South Africa, eight days later.

The Australian women were left ruing discipline and skill errors when Welsh flanker Kate Williams ploughed over for the winning post-siren score in a 31-24 victory in Newport last weekend.

The sides meet again in the WXV 2 tournament opener in Cape Town on Saturday, Arabella McKenzie promoted to start in the No.10 the major change by coach Jo Yapp.

The more experienced playmaker had deputised for Faitala Moleka in losses to Ireland and Wales in Europe. 

"Faitala had earned her starting spot ... and Bella's been super supportive of her, great in the squad in terms of understanding the bigger picture for us in a World Cup year," Yapp said.

"She (McKenzie) came off the bench and got the backline moving (against Wales). We want to play and move the ball against Wales."

Centre Cecilia Smith is the only other new face on the Australian bench, Yapp naming an unchanged forward pack for the first time since taking over this year.

Yapp said the quick transit from Wales had not stopped them from thoroughly reviewing the tough loss.

"The girls and us (staff) are pretty hard on ourselves," she said. 

"We don't cover over the cracks ... everyone knows that those discipline errors weren't good enough."

Australia host South Africa next Sunday morning (AEST) before concluding the tour against Scotland a week later. 

WALLAROOS (1-23): Bridie O'Gorman, Tania Naden, Eva Karpani, Kaitlan Leaney, Michaela Leonard (c), Siokapesi Palu, Ashley Marsters, Tabua Tuinakauvadra, Layne Morgan, Arabella McKenzie, Desiree Miller, Trilleen Pomare, Georgina Friedrichs, Maya Stewart, Caitlyn Halse. Reserves: Tiarna Molloy, Lydia Kavoa, Alapeta Ngauamo, Atasi Lafai, Lucy Dinnen, Natalie Wright, Cecilia Smith, Faitala Moleka.