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No Maddison Levi as Wallaroos unveil 40-player training squad
By Finn Morton
HSBC SVNS Series try-scoring machine Maddison Levi has been left out of the Wallaroos’ 40-player extended training squad, which will assemble in Canberra this week ahead of the team’s first Test of 2025 against Fiji at Suva’s HFC Bank Stadium on May 3.
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Levi didn’t take the field for the Queensland Reds this year after suffering a hand injury, and the reigning World Rugby Sevens Player of the Year can now be expected to feature in Australia’s squad for the SVNS Series World Championship in Los Angeles on May 3-4.
Wallaroos coach Jo Yapp has named a trio of Australia Sevens stars in the group, with Charlotte Caslick, Bienne Terita and Tia Hinds all selected. Caslick and Terita had previously outlined their intent to focus on 15s in 2025, while Hinds will miss the SVNS World Championship.
Coach Yapp’s squad includes 26 women who won the WXV 2 title in South Africa last year, as the women in gold claimed wins over Wales, South Africa and Scotland. Four other Wallaroos return to the national frame after time away, while 11 uncapped players feature in the squad.
Katalina Amosa, Martha Fua, Zoe Hanna, Manua Moleka, Faliki Pohiva and Ella Ryan join the Wallaroos for the first time. Then there are some experienced campaigners returning after missing the 2024 season, those being Emily Chancellor, Adiana Talakai and Bree-Anna Browne.
The NSW Waratahs and ACT Brumbies have 13 players each, while the Queensland Reds have nine and Western Force five. New South Wales took out the Super Rugby Women’s title earlier this month before losing the Champions Final to the Blues at North Harbour Stadium.
“After a very competitive and successful Super Rugby Women’s competition we have selected a squad that can continue the momentum built off the WXV 2 win last year,” coach Yapp said in a statement.
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“It’s an exciting year for women’s rugby and the preparation we have with seven Test matches over the next three months is going to be crucial ahead of the World Cup.
“The squad is a mix of youth and experience with some new and returning players earning their opportunities.
“We are looking forward to seeing these players connect and grow throughout the upcoming camps and Pacific Four Series.”
Piper Duck (shoulder), Brianna Hoy (knee), Atasi Lafai (knee), Leilani Nathan (knee) and Samantha Wood (back) have all been deemed unavailable for selection due to injury.
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There’s still a chance Levi can join the Wallaroos ahead of the upcoming Pacific Four Series, which is crucial ahead of the Rugby World Cup in August. Yapp will reduce the squad to 30 ahead of the Fiji Test but can add a further six players for Pac Four.
After facing Fiji, Australia will take on New Zealand in Newcastle, the USA in Canberra, Canada at Brisbane’s Suncorp Stadium, the New Zealanders for a second time in Wellington, Wales in Brisbane, and then Wales again at North Sydney Oval.
Australia will then turn their focus to the Rugby World Cup, which starts on August 23 for the Wallaroos against Samoa at Salford Community Stadium. They have also been drawn against the USA and England.
Wallaroos extended training squad
- Katalina Amosa (ACT Brumbies/Southern Districts)*
- Ruby Anderson (NSW Waratahs/Avoca Beach Rugby)*
- Bree-Anna Browne (Queensland Reds/Wests Bulldogs)
- Charlotte Caslick (Queensland Reds/Wests Bulldogs)*
- Emily Chancellor (NSW Waratahs/Sydney University)
- Lori Cramer (Queensland Reds/University of Queensland)
- Annabelle Codey (NSW Waratahs/Easts Tigers)
- Biola Dawa (ACT Brumbies/Wagga Reddies)
- Waiaria Ellis (NSW Waratahs/Blacktown Scorpions)*
- Ashley Fernandez (ACT Brumbies/Uni-North Owls)*
- Georgina Friedrichs (NSW Waratahs/Wests Bulldogs)
- Martha Fua (ACT Brumbies/Blacktown Scorpions)*
- Caitlyn Halse (NSW Waratahs/Camden Rams)
- Zoe Hanna (Queensland Reds/Casuarina Beach Barbarians)*
- Tia Hinds (ACT Brumbies/Randwick)*
- Eva Karpani (Queensland Reds/Southern Suburbs)
- Lydia Kavoa (ACT Brumbies/Eastern Suburbs)
- Kaitlan Leaney (NSW Waratahs/CSU Marlins)
- Michaela Leonard (Western Force/Tuggeranong Vikings)
- Ashley Marsters (Western Force/Boroondara)
- Arabella McKenzie (NSW Waratahs/Lightning Ridge Tigers)
- Desiree Miller (NSW Waratahs/Eastern Suburbs)
- Tiarah Minns (Queensland Reds/Melbourne University)
- Faitala Moleka (ACT Brumbies/Blacktown Scorpions)
- Manua Moleka (ACT Brumbies/Manly Mermaids)*
- Tiarna Molloy (Queensland Reds/Inverell Highlanders)
- Layne Morgan (Queensland Reds/Merewether Carlton)
- Tania Naden (ACT Brumbies/Uni-North Owls)
- Alapeta Ngauamo (Western Force/GPS Rugby Club)
- Bridie O’Gorman (NSW Waratahs/Sydney University)
- Siokapesi Palu (ACT Brumbies/Rockdale Rangers)
- Faliki Pohiva (NSW Waratahs/Blacktown Scorpions)*
- Trilleen Pomare (Western Force/Wanneroo)
- Ella Ryan (ACT Brumbies/Canberra Royals)*
- Cecilia Smith (Western Force/Leeton Dianas)
- Maya Stewart (NSW Waratahs/Nelson Bay Gropers)
- Adiana Talakai (NSW Waratahs/Maroubra Magic)
- Bienne Terita (ACT Brumbies/Randwick)
- Tabua Tuinakauvadra (ACT Brumbies/Orange Emus)
- Natalie Wright (Queensland Reds/Wests Bulldogs)
* denotes uncapped player
Unavailable for selection due to injury
- Piper Duck (shoulder)
- Brianna Hoy (knee)
- Atasi Lafai (knee)
- Leilani Nathan (knee)
- Samantha Wood (back)
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piper duck has had some terrible luck with injuries past couple of seasons. hope she gets fully fit soon.
Australia were given a very tough draw for the World Cup pool stage but I think with their natural athleticism and under the guidance of Jo Yapp they could do well and challenge for a semi final spot as long as they can see off the USA. With Ireland improving fast and hoping for at least the same it should be a great tournament.