Wallaroos coach Jo Yapp has included eleven NSW Waratahs players for the side’s upcoming Test match against Fijiana at Allianz Stadium in Sydney on Saturday.
The Test will also include four debutants with ACT Brumbies trio Biola Dawa, Allana Sikimeti and Lydia Kavoa join Natalie Wright as the fresh faces in line to make their Wallaroos debuts.
The quartet were part of an extended Wallaroos squad that spent five days in Canberra preparing for Saturday’s clash before shifting to Sydney earlier this week.
The Wallaroos starting pack boasts the likes of captain Michaela Leonard, Piper Duck, Eva Karpani, Kaitlan Leaney and Atasi Lafai while Lori Cramer returns to fullback.
Karpani and Arabella McKenzie are also set to celebrate milestones by bringing up their 25th caps respectively as the Wallaroos eye their first Test win of the year.
Wallaroos coach Jo Yapp said: “It’s been nice to be back in Sydney and the players are working hard to put in a good performance against Fiji on Saturday.
“Our team has been building well and we are looking forward to seeing how they go.
“We have four debutants and I’d like to congratulate Allana, Biola, Lydia and Nat on selection ahead of their first Test caps, and Eva and Arabella on their pending milestones.
“Maya Stewart and Ashley Marsters are both unavailable due to injury.”
Wagga Wagga product Dawa represented University of Canberra at the 2018 AON Uni Sevens series before joining the Brumbies in the Super W as a teenager.
Dawa comes in for Stewart, who has been ruled out with a hamstring injury, and ensures the Wallaroos maintain their speed out wide. Sikimeti, a talented emerging forward who celebrated her 20th birthday with selection this week, was previously in the Queensland Reds system before moving to Canberra.
Kavoa, 30, discovered her love for Rugby while being a member of the Navy for over a decade. She played for the Navy in the ADF Tri service competition at Ballymore Stadium before signing with the Brumbies.
Wright’s rise through the 15s ranks has been impressive after multiple injury setbacks while coming through the Australian Sevens system.
The 21-year-old has floated between positions since transitioning to the longer format of the game and will look to add some strike through the middle alongside Layne Morgan.
The Test match will feature as part of a double header with the Wallabies-Wales clash on Saturday night in Sydney.
Fans of the Wallaroos can catch the action live, ad-free and on-demand on Stan Sport.
1. Brianna Hoy (Coffs Harbour Snappers) – 6 caps
2. Tania Naden (Uni-North Owls) – 13 caps
3. Eva Karpani (Onkaparinga) – 24 caps
4. Kaitlan Leaney (CSU Marlins) – 18 caps
5. Michaela Leonard (c) (Tuggeranong Vikings) – 25 caps
6. Atasi Lafai (Campbelltown Harlequins) – 12 caps
7. Leilani Nathan (Hamilton Hawks) – 5 caps
8. Piper Duck (Tumut Bullettes) – 13 caps
9. Layne Morgan (Merewether Carlton) – 22 caps
10. Arabella McKenzie (Lightning Ridge Tigers) – 24 caps
11. Desiree Miller (Eastern Suburbs) – 5 caps
12. Cecilia Smith (Leeton Dianas) - 13 caps
13. Georgina Friedrichs (Wests Bulldogs) – 22 caps
14. Biola Dawa* (Wagga Reddies) – debut
15. Lori Cramer (University of Queensland) – 21 caps
Reserves
16. Tiarna Molloy (Inverell Highlanders) – 1 cap
17. Allana Sikimeti* (North Eagles) – debut
18. Bridie O'Gorman (Sydney University) – 20 caps
19. Siokapesi Palu (Rockdale Rangers) – 9 caps
20. Lydia Kavoa* (Eastern Suburbs) – debut
21. Natalie Wright* (Wests Bulldogs) – debut
22. Trilleen Pomare (Wanneroo) – 27 caps
23. Faitala Moleka (Blacktown Scorpions) – 9 caps
* Denotes debutant
WALLAROOS JULY TEST MATCHES
Australia v Fijiana – Saturday July 6, Allianz Stadium, Sydney 4:45pm (AEST)
Australia v New Zealand – Sunday, July 14, Ballymore Stadium, Brisbane 2:00pm (AEST)
