'An obvious choice': Piper Duck to be Wallaroos' youngest-ever captain

Piper Duck will become the Wallaroos’ youngest-ever captain after being appointed to take over from retiring skipper Shannon Parry at age 22.

Parry will retain the captaincy for her final Test against Fiji on Saturday at Allianz Stadium – which Duck will miss through injury – before the NSW Waratahs flanker takes charge against New Zealand in Redcliffe on June 29.

Wallaroo No.185, Duck made her international debut last year in a victory over Fiji in Brisbane and has played 10 Tests, including at the Women’s Rugby World Cup in New Zealand.

Born in Wagga Wagga before growing up in Tumut, the proud Riverina product only started playing rugby at age 15.

Duck moved to Sydney the following year to pursue her rugby dreams, playing Sevens for Barker College and representing Gordon at junior level and Sydney University at senior level.

The flanker gained selection for the Wallaroos A side to tour Fiji before joining the NSW Waratahs in 2020.

Duck was named captain of the Waratahs Women this year, also becoming that club’s youngest-ever captain, and said she was blown away when asked by Wallaroos coach Jay Tregonning to lead her country.

“I only debuted a year ago. I wasn’t expecting to be offered the captaincy, so it caught me off-guard a little,” she said.

“It is such an incredible honour to be named captain of the Wallaroos. It’s a dream come true and I feel a great responsibility to these remarkable young women that I take the field with.

“Shannon is a legend of Aussie rugby, and of the Wallaroos. It has been such a privilege to play under her, and to learn from her. She is a hero that so many of us younger girls look up to and I can’t thank her enough. I will definitely be leaning on Shannon for advice.”

Tregonning said he had no hesitation opting for Duck to take over.

“Piper is an amazing young woman who has an exceptional talent for connecting with others, and having a positive impact on everyone around her,” he said.

“She was an obvious choice for a new captain, and represents the very best that we look for in young people today – she is kind, empathetic, curious, eloquent and a keen listener.

“She is also fierce, determined and relentless, and I look forward to her bringing more of those traits to this young group.

“I must also thank Shannon for her many years of service as a captain of Australian teams. She is an icon of our sport.”