Northern Edition

Select Edition

Northern Northern
Southern Southern
Global Global
New Zealand New Zealand
France France

Coach Jo Yapp names her first Wallaroos team to take on world No.4 Canada

BRISBANE, AUSTRALIA - JUNE 29: Michaela Leonard of Australia reacts during the Pacific Four Series & O'Reilly Cup match between the Australian Wallaroos and New Zealand Black Ferns at Kayo Stadium on June 29, 2023 in Brisbane, Australia. (Photo by Matt Roberts - World Rugby/World Rugby via Getty Images)

Coach Jo Yapp has named her first Wallaroos team, including three possible debutantes, to take on Canada in the opening match of the Pacific Four series in Sydney.

ADVERTISEMENT

The former England Test halfback, who took over as women’s national coach late last year, has included ACT Brumbies prop Sally Fuesaina and Western Force pair Hera-Barb Malcolm Heke and Samantha Wood on the bench for Saturday’s game at Allianz Stadium.

Hooker Malcolm Heke and teenage halfback Wood were standouts for the Force in Super Rugby Women this year, while Fuesaina is set for her first international at the age of 32.

Video Spacer

Chasing the Sun on RugbyPass TV | RPTV

Chasing the Sun, the extraordinary documentary that traces the Springboks’ road to victory at the 2019 Rugby World Cup, is coming to RugbyPass TV.

Watch now

Video Spacer

Chasing the Sun on RugbyPass TV | RPTV

Chasing the Sun, the extraordinary documentary that traces the Springboks’ road to victory at the 2019 Rugby World Cup, is coming to RugbyPass TV.

Watch now

Yapp has named a mostly experienced line-up to take on the world No.4 side.

The Wallaroos will be captained by Western Force lock Michaela Leonard.

The backline is stacked with Waratahs players after their Super Women’s championship win, including halves Layne Morgan and Arabella McKenzie.

Queensland veteran Lori Cramer will start at fullback and the Force’s Trilleen Pomare is at inside centre.

Piper Duck will return to the Test fold at No.8 after missing the entire 2023 season through injury, with Bridie O’Gorman, Kaitlan Leaney and Ashley Marsters are also in the pack.

“We’re really happy with how the squad has connected over the past week and training in Blacktown has been a great environment for the players to prepare in camp,” Yapp said in a statement.

ADVERTISEMENT

“Hera-Barb, Sam and Sally are all deserving of their opportunity to make their debut and I’m looking forward to them making an impact in this team.

“The girls are excited to play their first Test match of the year and put in a good performance.”

The Wallaroos haven’t beaten Canada since 2014, with the visitors ranked one place higher in the world standings than Australia.

Following the clash against Canada, the Wallaroos will shift to Melbourne where they will take on the USA at AAMI Park on May 17.

ADVERTISEMENT

The final match of their series will be played in Auckland against New Zealand on May 25.

WALLAROOS SQUAD

Brianna Hoy, Tania Naden, Bridie O’Gorman, Kaitlan Leaney, Michaela Leonard (capt), Siokapesi Palu, Ashley Marsters, Piper Duck, Layne Morgan, Arabella McKenzie, Desiree Miller, Trilleen Pomare, Georgina Friedrichs, Maya Stewart, Lori Cramer. Reserves: Hera-Barb Malcolm Heke, Sally Fuesaina, Eva Karpani, Atasi Lafai, Leilani Nathan, Tabua Tuinakauvadra, Samantha Wood, Faitala Moleka.

ADVERTISEMENT

LIVE

{{item.title}}

Trending on RugbyPass

Comments

0 Comments
Be the first to comment...

Join free and tell us what you really think!

Sign up for free
ADVERTISEMENT

Latest Features

Comments on RugbyPass

TRENDING
TRENDING World Cup-winning halfback on Cam Roigard’s substitution in France loss World Cup-winning halfback on Cam Roigard’s substitution vs. France
Search