Sydney University Women’s Rugby Club’s three Wallaroos all had game time in the 47-10 loss to the New Zealand Black Ferns in the opening match of the two-Test Trans-Tasman series in Perth on Saturday.
Wallaroos skipper and No.8 Grace Hamilton went the distance, while flanker Emily Chancellor played a solid 63 minutes and halfback Iliseva Batibasaga came on in the 47th minute to replace Georgia Cormick.
Coming off a two-Test series win over Japan, the Wallaroos were in good touch to take on the visiting world champions. And while they scored two brilliant tries through winger Lori Cramer, both created by clever lead-up play from boom centre Alysia Lefau-Fakaosilea, the Black Ferns were too strong across the park.
After missing the two Tests against Japan, Batibasaga was recalled to the Wallaroos ranks for the Trans-Tasman Tests which are being played as lead-up matches to the Bledisloe Cup fixtures between the All Blacks and the Wallabies.
Brisbane-born Batibasaga moved south to join the Sydney University Club after representing Australia in two Rugby Sevens World Cups in Dubai in 2009 and Moscow in 2013. She has also represented Australia in two 15-a-side World Cups – in England in 2010 and France in 2014.
Hamilton, who was named player of the match in each of the two Tests against Japan, backed that up when she was named NSW’s Super Player of the Year. While openside flanker Chancellor was in the starting side for both encounters against Japan.
The two teams will meet again next week in the second instalment of the International double-header to be played at Eden Park, Auckland.
