The Wallaroos have named six debutantes for their opening Test match of the season against Fijiana at GIO Stadium in Canberra on Friday afternoon (4:55pm AEDT).
Western Force pair Brooklyn Teki-Joyce and Nicole Ledington will start while Australian Sevens star Sidney Taylor debuts at outside centre.
The bench includes Taylor’s Sevens teammate Piper Simons, back-rower Lily Bone and hooker Brittany Merlo, who are all in line for maiden Test appearances.
Teki-Joyce, Ledington and Bone all joined the Wallaroos national program this year after impressive performances in Super Rugby Women’s in 2025.
It’s also set to be a whirlwind weekend for Merlo, who was on the verge of a debut two years ago before being ruled out through injury.
The 28-year-old joined Wallaroos camp earlier this month after a season-ending knee injury to Katalina Amosa while Tania Naden (knee) is unavailable.
Wallaroos captain Siokapesi Palu Sekona leads the new-look side, which includes 17 players who featured at last year’s Women’s Rugby World Cup.
The Wallaroos will look to defend the Vuvale Bowl after winning the inaugural title 43-7 in Suva last year.
Wallaroos interim coach Sam Needs said: “We’ve had a great 12 days in camp so far and that made selections across the board a healthy headache for the coaches.
“We are really pleased to be able to give six players potential debuts this weekend and are excited to see them take the next step in their rugby journeys.
“Fijiana will provide a strong and physical challenge for us ahead of the Pacific Four series and we are looking forward to our first Test of the year.”
The Wallaroos have played Fijiana on four occasions for a 4-0 record while the Test match will be the second time GIO Stadium has hosted a fixture following the side’s win over USA in Canberra last year.
The Wallaroos will hold a final training session on Thursday before taking on the Fijians prior to the Swyft Super Rugby match between the ACT Brumbies and NSW Waratahs on Friday.
Watch every Wallaroos Test match in 2026, live and ad-free on Stan Sport or Channel Nine and 9GEM live.
WALLAROOS TEAM TO PLAY FIJIANA
1. Brianna Hoy (#203 - NSW Waratahs/Coffs Harbour Snappers) – 9 caps
2. Adiana Talakai (#182 - NSW Waratahs/Sydney University) – 21 caps
3. Bridie O’Gorman (#180 - NSW Waratahs/Sydney University) – 37 caps
4. Kaitlan Leaney (#179 - NSW Waratahs/SCU Marlins) – 35 caps
5. Ashley Fernandez (#221 - ACT Brumbies/Uni-North Owls) – 6 caps
6. Siokapesi Palu Sekona (c) (#194 - ACT Brumbies/Rockdale Rangers) – 23 caps
7. Emily Chancellor (#158 - NSW Waratahs/Sydney University) – 34 caps
8. Piper Duck (#185 - NSW Waratahs/Tumut Bullettes) – 22 caps
9. Samantha Wood (#207 - Western Force/Kalamunda Rugby Club) – 11 caps
10. Nicole Ledington (Western Force/Kalamunda Rugby Club)* - debut
11. Brooklyn Teki-Joyce (Western Force/West Scarborough)* - debut
12. Cecilia Smith (#190 - Western Force/Leeton Dianas) – 28 caps
13. Sidney Taylor (Queensland Reds/Wests Bulldogs)* - debut
14. Maya Stewart (#196 - NSW Waratahs/Nelson Bay Gropers) – 22 caps
15. Faitala Moleka (#199 - ACT Brumbies/Blacktown Scorpions) – 26 caps
Reserves
16. Brittany Merlo (NSW Waratahs/Sydney University)* - debut
17. Faliki Pohiva (#219 - NSW Waratahs/Blacktown Scorpions) – 7 caps
18. Eva Karpani (#171 - Queensland Reds/Southern Suburbs) – 41 caps
19. Michaela Leonard (#168 - Western Force/Tuggeranong Vikings) – 42 caps
20. Lily Bone (ACT Brumbies/Orange City)* - debut
21. Piper Simons (NSW Waratahs/Gordon Rugby Club)* - debut
22. Georgina Friedrichs (#178 - NSW Waratahs/Wests Bulldogs) – 38 caps
23. Desiree Miller (#204 - NSW Waratahs/Eastern Suburbs) – 23 caps
*denotes debut
Unavailable for selection due to injury
- Tania Naden (knee)
- Waiaria Ellis (shoulder)
WALLAROOS 2026 TEST SCHEDULE
- March 27: Wallaroos v Fijiana at GIO Stadium, Canberra - 4:55pm AEDT (Vuvale Bowl)
- April 11: Canada v Wallaroos at Heart Health Park, Sacramento, USA - 12:00pm AEST (Pacific Four series)
- April 17: USA v Wallaroos at CPKC Stadium, Kansas City, USA - 11:00am AEST (Pacific Four series)
- April 25: Wallaroos v New Zealand at Sunshine Coast Stadium - 7:45pm AEST (Pacific Four series/O’Reilly Cup)
- August 22: New Zealand v Wallaroos at Go Media Stadium, Auckland (O’Reilly Cup)
WXV Global Series
- September 13: England v Wallaroos at CorpAcq Stadium, Salford - 12:00am AEST
- September 19: WXV Global series away Test - TBC
- September 26: WXV Global series away Test - TBC
- October 17: Wallaroos v Scotland home Test – TBC
- October 23: Wallaroos v Scotland home Test – TBC
