Kaitlan Leaney is embracing the problem that awaits the Wallaroos this weekend in Brighton, with the Aussies lower than 48 hours away from taking over a star-studded England facet that’s “primary on this planet for a cause.”
Leaney shared co-captaincy duties together with Emily Chancelor in Australia’s first two matches on the 2025 Ladies’s Rugby World Cup, however the return of Siokapesi Palu has seen the staff’s common skipper resume management duties for this large Check.
England have received their final 29 Check matches, however the Aussies are hoping to do one thing at one of the vital well-known stadiums in Rugby World Cup historical past – with Japan defeating the Springboks virtually 10 years in the past to the day at the exact same venue.
Whereas the Pink Roses might be thought of sturdy favourites by many, the Wallaroos have all of it to play for on Saturday after drawing with the USA 31-all in York. That outcome leaves each Australia and the USA within the working to qualify for the quarter-finals.
Australia must both win, draw, safe a try-scoring bonus level, or do sufficient to make sure that their factors differential remains to be higher than the USA’s. Whereas it received’t be straightforward, Leaney is wanting ahead to taking over some outdated teammates in an enormous pool stage conflict.
“Their complete ahead pack is basically sturdy – they’re primary on this planet for a cause. So we at all times discuss if you wish to be one of the best, you’ve acquired to play one of the best. Fortunately I’ve come throughout plenty of them all through the PWR, enjoying for Quins [Harlequins],” Leaney mentioned on Thursday.
“Eager to see some outdated teammates and have some new rivalries on the market, however I believe it’ll be excellent.”
Leaney was one in every of Australia’s heroes within the 31-all draw with the USA, with the lock standing out with some key involvements all through the Check. Not solely was Leaney up there as one of many high tacklers on the night time, however the second rower’s work on the set-piece was game-defining.
With just a few minutes left, the USA kicked for the sideline after being awarded a penalty at a scrum. After the Ladies’s Eagles arrange for an attacking maul, Leaney swam by way of the pack of our bodies earlier than finally securing a turnover.
Australia had one final try at securing a win, nevertheless it wasn’t to be. If the USA can placed on an enormous rating in opposition to Samoa, then they might be off to the quarters relying on the outcome – but when the Aussies find yourself progressing, that second might be checked out as a vital play.
“I wasn’t actually fascinated about the rating line. If you happen to begin doing that, then you definitely lose your self inside the sport. So I used to be fascinated about doing my job and sticking to my course of and hopefully the end result would observe,” Leaney mirrored.
“However I knew that lineout that they had was going to be an enormous turning level and that’s one in every of my strengths round that space. So it was alternative for me to get that turnover and put us again on the entrance foot.”
