Pair fight for place
JILLAROOS teammates Zahara Temara and Maddie Studdon will be thrown into a battle for the side’s utility role, with Ali Brigginshaw and Caitlin Moran to be the first-choice halves pairing.
Brigginshaw and Moran were unveiled as the official World Cup five-eighth and halfback on Wednesday night at the Australian team’s jersey presentation.
Coach Brad Donald confirmed that the pair are the first-choice halves combination for the upcoming tournament, leaving Temara and Studdon to fight it out for the opportunity to be the team’s main utility.
For Queensland young gun Temara, who has played most of her rugby league career in the halves, it will be a big challenge to prove what she can do in other positions.
Donald said he plans to test her out at lock at some stage – possibly as soon as Thursday’s first match against the Cook Islands.
She has also been spending parts of training at hooker, while Studdon can also fill in at No.9.
“We really want to make sure the pair are pushing each other along to nab the utility spot in the 17,” Donald said of Temara and Studdon.
“(Temara) really enjoys rolling her sleeves up. She could play as a ball-playing lock forward.
“I don’t think it will change her role too much more than getting her involved a little bit more in the game.”
Temara made her international debut in the May Test against New Zealand before representing Queensland in July. She said earlier this week she did not even expect to make the squad of 24.
“I actually didn’t think I was going to make it,” Temara said.
“I just think there’s so many girls that should be here. I didn’t think I’d done enough to make it.
“Everyone’s still fighting for their spot.
“But whatever position you get put in, all the girls will support each other and trust that they’ll get the job done.”
Donald has had several selection headaches given the amount of talent in his squad.
However, he said that 20year-old Moran deserved her chance in the No.7 jersey for the Jillaroos.