Eight Safeguard Global ACT Brumbies Super Rugby Women's representatives have been selected to join the Wallaroos squad ahead of their Pacific Four Series.
After a tremendous 2024 season with the Brumbies Allana Sikimeti, Sally Fuesaina, Lydia Kavoa and Biola Dawa have all been named in the Wallaroos squad for the first time in their respective careers.
Returning to international rugby for the Wallaroos will be Brumbies captain, Siokapesi Palu, vice-captain Tania Naden as well as Faitala Moleka and Tabua Tuinakauvadra.
In addition Ashley Fernandez and Ashlea Bishop have been rewarded for their seasons with a selection in the Wallaroos Development Group who will attend the first six days of the Sydney camp.
With the addition of injured Jay Huriwai the Brumbies now have a total of 11 players involved in the Wallaroos program.
Brumbies head coach Scott Fava is delighted to see so many of his 2024 group go to the next level with the Wallaroos and is full of praise for the upcoming debutants.
"When I came to the Brumbies in 2023, I had two things I wanted to accomplish. One was to win a premiership which I'm obviously devastated we fell short this season. But two was to bring 10 or more Brumbies into the Wallaroos and get them ready for the 2025 World Cup so having 11 now in the squad is amazing," said Fava.
"Sally and Allana I'm booth really impressed with as prop is one of those positions I wanted to really push since arriving to Brumbies. Both these individuals are ex number 8's so I always knew they had that determination and work rate in both attack and defence. Since becoming props their scrummaging has just gone from strength to strength however which I am impressed with."
"Lydia Kavoa is another great addition to the international squad as she is so dominant in everything she does. She is one of the hardest players to tackle when five metres out and she deserves to be an internationally rated player who I know will be great against tough opposition like New Zealand and Fiji."
"Our final debutant Biola I am so happy to see her get her chance at this level, I remember at the end of 2023 II told her she is the best defensive winger in the competition but you just need to become dominant with the ball also. This year we saw her start breaking tackles and pumping out posts-contact metres, most particularly in our match against the Queensland Reds. She made a statement in offence against Ivania Wong who has been a remarkable player for some time, but her super strength is her defence.
Forwards
Allana Sikimeti - ACT Brumbies
Asoiva Karpani - NSW Waratahs
Brianna Hoy - NSW Waratahs
Brodie O'Gorman - NSW Waratahs
Sally Fuesaina - ACT Brumbies
Hera-Barb Malcolm Heke - Western Force
Tania Naden - ACT Brumbies
Katlan Leaney - NSW Waratahs
Michaela Leonard - Western Force
Tiarah Minns - Melbourne Rebels
Ashley Marsters - Melbourne Rebels
Atasi Lafai - NSW Waratahs
Leilani Nathan - NSW Waratahs
Lydia Kavoa - ACT Brumbies
Siokapesi Palu - ACT Brumbies
Piper Duck - NSW Waratahs
Tabua Tuinakauvadra - ACT Brumbies
Backs
Layne Morgan - NSW Waratahs
Sammie Woods - Western Force
Arabella Mckenzie - NSW Waratahs
Faitala Moleka - ACT Brumbies
Cecilia Smith - Queensland Reds
Georginia Friederichs - NSW Waratahs
Shalom Sauaso - Queensland Reds
Trill Pomare - Western Force
Biola Dawa -ACT Brumbies
Des Miller - NSW Waratahs
Maya Stewart - NSW Waratahs
Caitlyn Halse - NSW Waratahs
Lori Cramer - Queensland Reds
Ash Fernandez - ACT Brumbies
Ashlea Bishop - ACT Brumbies
Brittany Merlo - NSW Waratahs
Janita Kareta - Queensland Reds
Melanie Wilks - Queensland Reds
Natalie Wright - Queensland Reds
Sky Churchill - NSW Waratahs
Tamika Jones - Western Force
Tiarna Molloy - Queensland Reds
Waiaria Ellis - NSW Waratahs
Wallaroos v Canada Women
Saturday 11 May at Allianz Stadium, 4:45pm AEST
Wallaroos v USA Women
Friday 17 May at AAMI Park, 4:45pm AEST
New Zealand Women v Wallaroos
Saturday 25 May at North Harbour Stadium, 12:05 AEST
