The NSW Waratahs have named five debutants in their side to play the Fijian Drua in Round 1 of the SMARTECH Super Rugby Women's competition that kicks off at 5.05pm at Allianz Stadium in Moore Park on Friday.
The NSW Waratahs Women are the defending Super Rugby Women's champions and are chasing a sixth title.
The five debutants for Round 1 are hooker Millie Parker, scrumhalf Tiarne Cavanagh and winger Amelia Whitaker from the starting XV, and lock Jajay Taylor and flanker Anahera Hamahona from the bench.
Captaining the side will be experienced flanker Emily Chancellor in place of Piper Duck who is out due to an AC "niggle" but is expected back for Round 2.
NSW Waratahs Women's head coach Mike Ruthven said about Chancellor's journey back from injury.
"Emily's done an outstanding job over the last few weeks,"
"She's an experienced player with a huge amount of respect and has come back from her long-term ACL injury and hasn't looked out of place at all.
"It's great to have 'Chance' back playing. And she's done an outstanding job leading the girls over the last few weeks."
Asked about the debutants, Ruthven said: "All thoroughly deserve their opportunity. I am looking forward to seeing their positive impact on the game."
- Emily Robinson
- Millie Parker
- Bridie O'Gorman
- Kaitlan Leaney
- Annabelle Codey
- Ruby Anderson
- Emily Chancellor (c)
- Leilani Nathan
- Tiarne Cavanagh
- Katrina Barker
- Amelia Whitaker
- Nicole Nathan
- Georgina Friedrichs (vc)
- Maya Stewart
- Waiaria Ellis Reserves
- Adiana Talakai
- Siusiuosalafai Volkmna
- Faliki Pohiva
- Jayjay Taylor
- Anahera Hamahona
- Tatum Bird
- Jade Sheridan
- Jacinta Windsor
NSW Waratahs Women v The Fijiana Drua
When: at 5.05 pm Friday, 28 February 2025
Where: Allianz Stadium, Moore Park
To purchase your tickets at Ticketek
The game will be televised Live, ad-free and on-demand on Stan Sport – The Home of Rugby
