The Canberra vet set to make Aussie rugby history
Michaela Leonard will make history as the first Wallaroos player to reach 50 Tests when she takes the field against Scotland in Edinburgh on Sunday (AEST).
The reliable 31-year-old lock from Canberra made her debut against Japan in 2019 and has missed just two Tests since.
Jemma Bemrose of Australia is presented with her debut cap by Michaela Leonard. Getty Images for Rugby Australia
A junior basketball star turned qualified vet physiotherapist, Leonard became the most-capped Wallaroos player in April when she overtook Ashley Masters against New Zealand at Sunshine Coast Stadium.
England’s Sarah Hunter holds the women’s world record with a mammoth 141 Tests between 2007-23.
Wallaroos coach Tim Walsh has made just one change to the starting side that lost 29-26 to France in a wild Test in Aix-en-Provence last weekend, with prop Brianna Hoy replacing Allana Sikimeti.
Walsh remains winless as Wallaroos coach after taking the reins in August.
“Statistically and objectively we have improved considerably throughout the last three Test matches and continuing on this tangent is our objective,” Walsh said.
“In terms of milestones we will celebrate with Michaela Leonard as she runs out onto the field for her record-breaking 50th Test.“
The Wallaroos have not lost to Scotland in their four previous meetings.
But Scotland is currently ranked eighth in the world, ahead of Australia in ninth.
Wallaroos vice-captain Kaitlan Leaney - who will partner Leonard in the second row - said the team had done some serious soul-searching after failing to knock over an ill-disciplined France side that was incredibly reduced to 11 players at one stage.
“I think we had to really go deep into it and look internally and look at the areas that went wrong and the reality is we had opportunities there that we could capitalise on, and we didn’t,” Leaney told reporters.
“I think we talk a lot about being process-driven and performance-based, and I think in that moment, we probably just didn’t stick to our processes enough.
Kaitlan Leaney of Australia is tackled by Axelle Berthoumieu and Julia Grosz of France. Getty Images
“Test match footy, you can’t really afford to have those little slip ups… the losses don’t look good, but I think if you can look deep into it and see that we are improving each week.
“We’re playing better footy and with a lot more confidence, we’re moving the ball, defending our line really well and our set piece is going really well. They’re things that we can really build confidence on.”
Scotland are fired up at their chance of creating history.
“We’re chasing a few firsts,” Scotland prop Leah Bartlett told the BBC.
“First win against Australia and then obviously out in Australia as well, looking forward to the challenge of two Test matches out in Australia (in October) and hopefully going for a clean sweep.
"It would do a huge amount for us confidence-wise, being able to express ourselves the way that we want to be able to.
"We have had such difficult opposition that have nullified our attack a little bit. I'm not saying that Australia aren't in the slightest there. They're an exceptionally good outfit.
“We’ve obviously got some incredible attacking threats on our team, which we have seen glimpses of that in the last couple of games. Hopefully, we’ll start seeing that a bit more often than not.”
Wallaroos (1-15): Brianna Hoy, Brittany Merlo, Faliki Pohiva, Kaitlan Leaney, Michaela Leonard, Pia Tapsell, Piper Duck, Siokapesi Palu Sekona (c), Samantha Wood, Waiaria Ellis, Desiree Miller, Faitala Moleka, Georgina Friedrichs, Amelia Whitaker, Caitlyn Halse
Reserves: Tania Naden, Martha Fua, Bridie O’Gorman, Jemma Bemrose, Emily Chancellor, Lily Bone, Tia Hinds, Ava Wereta
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