women
international women
Wallaroos captain Siokapesi Palu Sekona wore the commemorative shirt at a press conference on Thursday afternoon, proudly celebrating the incredible milestone Eva Karpani achieved this week against Scotland.
Karpani is just a day away from turning 50th performance in Wallaroos gold, ready to join a club that includes just one other member. Michaela Leonard became the first Australian woman to record a half-century of appearances when the Wallaroos played Scotland at the end of last month
The hard-working prop, who is the Wallaroos’ third-highest goalscorer in history, will provide punch from the bench against Scotland in Canberra. Australia chasing a third successive victory over the Scots, in what will be their final Test of the WXV Global Series.
Karpani made his debut for the Wallaroos seven years ago and quickly emerged as an important member of the 23rd game. The first-rounder represented Australia at two Rugby World Cups, which included last year’s record in England.
Outside backs Desiree Miller and Maya Stewart are the top two on the Wallaroos all-time list, but Karpani is not far behind in third. The substitute prop crossed for the try in the 79th minute as the Australians defeated Scotland last weekend at the Accor Stadium in Sydney.
“It’s super exciting. Everyone’s just eager to get going and celebrate stuff like that. The second Wallaroo ever to achieve that is super cool,” Palu Sekona told reporters.
“Like Mac, she’s been very consistent throughout the Wallaroos. She’s scoring more tries on these bloody backs so she’ll get a lot of plaudits from that for sure.”
“It’s really exciting and it’s the last test game and everyone just wants to put in a performance to be proud of.”
Karpani brings 50 Test caps to what is shaping up to be the end of an era for the Wallaroos, with two experienced players bidding farewell to the program. The Wallaroos announced this week that Emily Chancellor and Cecilia Smith plan to hang up their Test rugby boots.
Chancellor is a former Wallaroos captain and has been selected to compete in two Rugby World Cups. Smith also went to events in New Zealand and England, who claimed man of the match honors after a record 73-0 win Samoa last year.
“They bring so much to the game,” Palu Sekona said.
“(Smith) and (Chancellor) had so much to do for this game, and not even just as the Wallaroos, but in the country across Australia,” the Wallaroos captain said.
“We just want to put on a performance that they’re going to be proud of and we’re going to be proud of.”
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
