Wallaroos coach Jo Yapp has a unique insight into a number of the Scotland stars that could prove the edge in Sunday’s (AEDT) WXV 2 decider.
Yapp’s Worcester Warriors had a distinctly Scottish feel to them as they matched it with the best in the Premier 15s before their demise.
Retired Scotland international Lyndsay O’Donnell served as her long-serving captain ever since Yapp took over as coach/director of Rugby in 2019.
With them came a host of Scottish stars that Yapp will plan to shut down if the Wallaroos are to take out the title.
Hooker Lana Skeldon and number eight Evie Gallagher are amongst several who honed their craft under Yapp, with the former English international excited about the chance to reunite.
“It’s been a strange time. There’s about 12 players across those teams that were at Worcester with me and it’s lovely to see them on an individual perspective doing so well,” she told reporters.
“Worcester is such a special group so it’s always good to see them doing well.
“…It’s been a real whirlwind (since joining from Worchester). I was back and forth initially and then Pac-4, New Zealand Tests before the family came out in July. It’s been incredible and the players and staff in Australia has been supportive of me and my family with the move.”
Yapp is energised about taking the Wallaroos to the next level as they eye a return to the top five rankings with a win over Scotland.
Sunday’s Test brings to a close a jam-packed Test schedule that has seen the Wallaroos play their most matches in a non-World Cup period as well as standalone games in Wales and Ireland.
“Just playing against different opposition has been really exciting for the group,” Yapp said on the biggest benefit of the expanded schedule. “I don’t think anyone in this group has played against South Africa before for example, they’re playing against Northern Hemisphere teams.
“Playing against different opposition as opposed to so often playing New Zealand and Fiji, we know how they play and where we stand against those at the moment. To see where we want to stand from a world perspective and to take on these teams has been really important, and just having to adapt our style slightly depending on who we’re playing.
“So being able to adapt between those games leading into a World Cup is really good prep.”
