NSW Waratahs 2026 Women’s Player of the Year Amelia Whitaker is in contention to earn her first Test cap after being named in the Wallaroos squad for next week’s Test against New Zealand in Auckland.
The 19-year-old back enjoyed a breakout season in the 2026 Swyftx Super Rugby Women’s competition, and her international debut could be in the historic 100th Test for the Wallaroos on August 22 at Go Media Stadium.
Whitaker is among 14 Waratahs players named in the squad for this Test. Waratahs forward Faliki Pohiva, who was named Player of the Final in the club’s Swyftx Super Rugby Women’s Grand Final win on July 25, is unavailable for selection due to a calf injury.
NSW Waratahs Women’s Head Coach Mike Ruthven will join the Wallaroos coaching staff for the Test against New Zealand, as well as the WXV Global Series.
Director of Women’s High Performance Tim Walsh, who will help coach the side, said: “Achieving big ambitions requires an army of purpose-driven, disciplined and focus athletes with a management team that provides an environment that maximises potential.
“It is a fresh start for everyone involved in the Wallaroos program and this next campaign is our responsibility to set a platform on the road to 2029.
“In what should be a fantastic occasion for our 100th Test match, our promise to align both programs also starts with the inclusions of Maddison Levi, Alysia Lefau-Fakaosilea and Bienne Terita, who will add strike out wide.”
Waratahs members and fans can watch the August 22 Test live on Stan Sport. The Test kicks off at 3:05pm AEST.
WALLAROOS SQUAD FOR TEST AGAINST NEW ZEALAND
- Jemma Bemrose* (Queensland Reds/Palm Beach Currumbin Alligators) - uncapped
- Lily Bone - #229 (ACT Brumbies/Orange City) – 3 caps
- Emily Chancellor - #158 (NSW Waratahs/Sydney University) – 37 caps
- Piper Duck - #185 (NSW Waratahs/Tumut Bullettes) – 26 caps
- Waiaria Ellis - #225 (NSW Waratahs/Blacktown Scorpions) – 6 caps
- Martha Fua - #223 (ACT Brumbies/Blacktown Scorpions) – 4 caps
- Caitlyn Halse - #210 (NSW Waratahs/Camden Rams) – 15 caps
- Tia Hinds - #222 (NSW Waratahs/Randwick) – 10 caps
- Brianna Hoy - #203 (NSW Waratahs/Coffs Harbour Snappers) – 13 caps
- Eva Karpani - #171 (Queensland Reds/Southern Suburbs) – 46 caps
- Kaitlan Leaney - #179 (NSW Waratahs/SCU Marlins) – 39 caps
- Alysia Lefau-Fakaosilea - #170 (Queensland Reds/Sunnybank Dragons) – 4 caps
- Michaela Leonard - #168 (Western Force/Tuggeranong Vikings) – 47 caps
- Maddison Levi* (Australia Sevens/Bond University) – uncapped
- Hera-Barb Malcolm Heke - #209 (Western Force/Kalamunda Rugby) – 3 caps
- Brittany Merlo - #230 (NSW Waratahs/Sydney University) – 3 caps
- Desiree Miller - #204 (NSW Waratahs/Eastern Suburbs) – 27 caps
- Faitala Moleka- #199 (ACT Brumbies/Blacktown Scorpions) – 30 caps
- Tania Naden - #197 (ACT Brumbies/Uni-North Owls) – 29 caps
- Leilani Nathan - #202 (NSW Waratahs/Hamilton Hawks) – 8 caps
- Bridie O’Gorman - #180 (NSW Waratahs/Sydney University) – 41 caps
- Siokapesi Palu Sekona - #194 (ACT Brumbies/Rockdale Rangers) – 27 caps
- Allana Sikimeti - #212 (Western Force/Norths Eagles Rugby) – 3 caps
- Piper Simons - #231 (NSW Waratahs/Gordon Rugby) – 3 caps
- Cecilia Smith - #190 (Western Force/Leeton Dianas) – 30 caps
- Maya Stewart - #196 (NSW Waratahs/Nelson Bay Gropers) – 26 caps
- Pia Tapsell* (Western Force/North Shore Rugby Club) – uncapped
- Bienne Terita - #195 (Australia Sevens/Randwick) – 6 caps
- Amelia Whitaker* (NSW Waratahs/Randwick) – uncapped
- Samantha Wood - #207 (Western Force/Kalamunda Rugby) – 15 caps
*denotes uncapped player
Unavailable for selection due to injury
- Katalina Amosa (knee)
- Chioma Enyi (ankle)
- Grace Freeman (leg)
- Georgina Friedrichs (quad)
- Atasi Lafai (knee)
- Tiarah Minns (neck)
- Manu’a Moleka (knee)
- Ngamihi Monk (leg)
- Faliki Pohiva (calf)
- Ella Ryan (ankle)
- Adiana Talakai (neck)
- Brooklyn Teki Joyce (ankle)
- Tabua Tuinakauvadra (knee)
