women
international women
NSW Waratahas wing Amelia Whitaker and Queensland Reds skipper Jemma Bemrose are set to make their Wallaroos debuts this weekend, having both been named in the matchday 23. England at Salford’s CorpAcq Stadium.
Whitaker was awarded player of the year honors after a string of outstanding performances for the Waratahs in Women’s Super Rugby, but the 20-year-old missed the championship final clash with the Blues through injury.
But Whitaker has earned greater honors in the national team, which will wear Wallaroos gold for the first time against world champions the Red Roses in England. The Red Roses are still on a remarkable unbeaten run dating back to their last loss in 2022.
Desiree Miller and Caitlyn Halse make up the complete Waratahs back three combination, while club teammates Waiaria Ellis and Georgina Friedrichs will also start. Western Force scrum-half Samantha Wood and ACT Brumbies center Faitala Moleka are also in the run-on side.
In attack, Siokapesi captain Palu Sekona leads an exciting trio of loose forwards that includes former Black Fern Pia Tapsell at blindside flanker and ACT Brumbies’ Lily Bone at openside.
Loosehead prop Brianna Hoy joins slutty Brittany Merlo and hard-nosed Faliki Pohiva up front, while Kaitlan Leaney and Michaela Leonard form a locking duo. Leonard is the most capped Wallaroo in history, just three games short of the 50-Test marker.
Bemrose is among the strikers named on the eh bench, with the Reds skipper joined by Eva Karpani and Piper Duck as strikers. Waratahs captain Emily Chancellor will also come off the bench.
“We have selected two debutants in Amelia Whitaker and Jemma Bemrose, who have stepped up in Super Rugby this season, performing consistently in their roles and deserving of a Test call-up,” said Director of Women’s High Performance Tim Walsh.
“As a team we are investing in the future while focusing on the present. We are looking forward to what world champions England will throw at us and are ready to absorb and come back with some interest.”
The Wallaroos team will take on the Red Roses
1. Brianna Hoy – #203 (NSW Waratahs/Coffs Harbor Snappers) – 14 appearances
2. Brittany Merlo – #230 (NSW Waratahs/Sydney University) – 4 appearances
3. Faliki Pohiva – #219 (NSW Waratahs/Blacktown Scorpions) – 11 appearances
4. Kaitlan Leaney – #179 (NSW Waratahs/SCU Marlins) – 40 caps
5. Michaela Leonard – #168 (Western Force/Tuggeranong Vikings) – 47 games
6. Pia Tapsell – #236 (Western Force/North Shore Rugby Club) – 1 game
7. Lily Bone – #229 (ACT Brumbies/Orange City) – 4 drops
8. Siokapesi Palu Sekona (c) – #194 (ACT Brumbies/Rockdale Rangers) – 28 games
9. Samantha Wood – #207 (Western Force/Kalamunda Rugby) – 16 games
10. Waiaria Ellis – #225 (NSW Waratahs/Blacktown Scorpions) – 7 appearances
11. Desiree Miller – #204 (NSW Waratahs/Eastern Suburbs) – 28 caps
12. Faitala Moleka – #199 (ACT Brumbies/Blacktown Scorpions) – 31 games
13. Georgina Friedrichs – #178 (NSW Waratahs/Wests Bulldogs) – 42 appearances
14. Amelia Whitaker* (NSW Waratahs/Randwick) – Uncapped
15. Caitlyn Halse – #210 (NSW Waratahs/Camden Rams) – 15 appearances
Reserves
16. Tania Naden – #197 (ACT Brumbies/Uni-North Owls) – 30 appearances
17. Allana Sikimeti – #212 (Western Force/Norths Eagles Rugby) – 4 appearances
18. Eva Karpani – #171 (Queensland Reds/Southern Suburbs) – 46 games
19. Jemma Bemrose* (Queensland Reds/Palm Beach Currumbin Alligators) – Uncapped
20. Piper Duck – #185 (NSW Waratahs/Tumut Bullettes) – 27 drops
21. Emily Chancellor – #158 (NSW Waratahs/Sydney University) – 38 appearances
22. Tia Hinds – #222 (NSW Waratahs/Randwick) – 11 games
23. Cecilia Smith – #190 (Western Force/Leeton Dianas) – 31 games
*Uncapped