women
international women
Eva Karpani will join Michaela Leonard in the incredibly exclusive Wallaroos club this week, with the veteran front-rower hitting 50 Tests. Karpani will give a shot from the bench again when Australia faces Scotland on Friday night.
Karpani made his Wallaroos gold debut against Japan 2019 and since then it has been a regular match of the national team. The tenacious prop is the third highest scorer in Wallaroos history, with outside backs Deisree Miller and Maya Stewart ahead on that list.
The Wallaroos want to end theirs WXV Global Series campaign with a third straight win against Scotland, following a 30-19 hammering in Edinburgh last month and a clinical 56-12 victory at Accor Stadium in Sydney on Saturday.
Amela Whitaker was awarded man of the match honors after that Test, with the four-Test flyer retained on one wing. Stewart is holding on to a starting spot on the other wing, but the Wallaroos will be without prolific goalscorer Miller.
Miller was ruled out of the season finale with a calf injury, leading to a change in the back line. Faitala Moleka moves from midfield to fullback and 33-Test Wallaroo Cecilia Smith is brought into the ruck at inside centre.
“The team’s performance improved in every test during the WXV and it is important that we finish the season strongly before we move into our integrated women’s program and the 2027 season,” said Director of Women’s High Performance Tim Walsh.
“We are building some strong combinations and the selections reflect this. It is a great achievement for Eva Karpani to reach 50 Tests and we want to make it memorable for her, Emily Chancellor and all the other players and staff.”
Allana Sikimeti joins Tania Naden and Faliki Pohiva up front, while Britanny Merlo and Brianna Hoy join Karpana on the bench. Kaitlan Leaney will pack in alongside Queensland Reds and Tiarah Minns in the second row, with Leonard named in the replacements.
Emily Chancellor will play her 42 year old selfn.d and final Test for the Wallaroos after being named in the run-on side at open flank. The former Wallaroos captain joins current Siokapesa captain Palu Sekoni and Piper Duck in an experienced trio of loose forwards.
Samantha Wood and Waiaria Ellis will link up in the halves, while Smith and Georginia Friedrichs will line up in the centres. Whitaker and Stewart are on the wings, with Moleka rounding out the starting XV at full-back.
The Wallaroos team will take on Scotland in Canberra
1. Allana Sikimeti – #212 (Western Force/Norths Rugby) – 7 appearances
2. Tania Naden – #197 (ACT Brumbies/Uni-North Owls) – 34 appearances
3. Faliki Pohiva – #219 (NSW Waratahs/Blacktown Scorpions) – 15 appearances
4. Kaitlan Leaney – #179 (NSW Waratahs/SCU Marlins) – 44 appearances
5. Tiarah Minns – #217 (Queensland Reds/Melbourne University) – 7 appearances
6. Siokapesi Palu Sekona (c) – #194 (ACT Brumbies/Rockdale Rangers) – 32 games
7. Emily Chancellor – #158 (NSW Waratahs/Sydney University) – 41 games
8. Piper Duck – #185 (NSW Waratahs/Tumut Bullettes) – 31 games
9. Samantha Wood – #207 (Western Force/Kalamunda Rugby) – 20 games
10. Waiaria Ellis – #225 (NSW Waratahs/Blacktown Scorpions) – 11 appearances
11. Amelia Whitaker – #237 (NSW Waratahs/Randwick) – 4 games
12. Cecilia Smith – #190 (Western Force/Leeton Dianas) – 33 games
13. Georgina Friedrichs – #178 (NSW Waratahs/Wests Bulldogs) – 46 games
14. Maya Stewart – #196 (NSW Waratahs/Nelson Bay Gropers) – 28 appearances
15. Faitala Moleka – #199 (ACT Brumbies/Blacktown Scorpions) – 35 caps
Substitutions
16. Brittany Merlo – #230 (NSW Waratahs/Sydney University) – 8 appearances
17. Brianna Hoy – #203 (NSW Waratahs/Coffs Harbor Snappers) – 18 appearances
18. Eva Karpani – #171 (Queensland Reds/Southern Suburbs) – 49 games
19. Michaela Leonard – #168 (Western Force/Tuggeranong Vikings) – 51 games
20. Pia Tapsell – #236 (Western Force/North Shore Rugby Club) – 5 appearances
21. Lily Bone – #229 (ACT Brumbies/Orange City) – 7 drops
22. Piper Simmons – #231 (NSW Waratahs/Gordon Rugby) – 3 games
23. Ella Ryan – #234 (ACT Brumbies/Canberra Royals) – 1 game
