The Wallaroos are set to face the USA Eagles in Kansas City this Saturday, marking their first meeting since a tightly contested 31-all draw at the 2025 World Cup. After advancing to the quarter-finals on points difference in that tournament, Australia will be looking to secure a definitive victory this weekend.
Four ACT Brumbies Women will feature in the clash, providing a strong core for the national side. Siokapesi Palu Sekona will lead the team as captain, joined in the starting lineup by hooker Tania Naden and fullback Faitala Moleka.
A key highlight of this announcement is the debut of Brumbies scrum-half Ella Ryan.
Ryan returned to Canberra in 2025 following a stint with the NSW Waratahs and time playing with the Canberra Raiders. Strong, consistent performances during the Super Rugby Women's season and on the sevens circuit earned the young back a spot in the extended Wallaroos squad late last year.
After putting in the work across all of the national camps in 2026, Ryan has earned her maiden cap. She will make her debut off the bench alongside Queensland Reds duo Dillyn Blackburn and Ava Wereta, as the three new faces look to make an impact on the international stage.
Match Details
- Date: Saturday, 18 April 2026
- Time: 11:00 am AEST
- Venue: CPKC Stadium, Kansas City, USA
- Broadcast: Watch live on Stan Sport
Wallaroos Team to Face the USA Eagles
- Brianna Hoy (#203, NSW Waratahs/Coffs Harbour Snappers), 11 caps
- Tania Naden (#197, ACT Brumbies/Uni-North Owls), 27 caps
- Eva Karpani (#171, Queensland Reds/Southern Suburbs), 43 caps
- Kaitlan Leaney (#179, NSW Waratahs/SCU Marlins), 37 caps
- Tiarah Minns (#217, Queensland Reds/Melbourne University), 4 caps
- Siokapesi Palu Sekona (c) (#194, ACT Brumbies/Rockdale Rangers), 25 caps
- Emily Chancellor (#158, NSW Waratahs/Sydney University), 36 caps
- Piper Duck (#185, NSW Waratahs/Tumut Bullettes), 24 caps
- Samantha Wood (#207, Western Force/Kalamunda Rugby Club), 12 caps
- Nicole Ledington (#226, Western Force/Kalamunda Rugby Club), 2 caps
- Desiree Miller (#204, NSW Waratahs/Eastern Suburbs), 24 caps
- Sidney Taylor (#227, Queensland Reds/Wests Bulldogs), 2 caps
- Georgina Friedrichs (#178, NSW Waratahs/Wests Bulldogs), 40 caps
- Maya Stewart (#196, NSW Waratahs/Nelson Bay Gropers), 24 caps
- Faitala Moleka (#199, ACT Brumbies/Blacktown Scorpions), 28 caps
Reserves
16. Adiana Talakai (#182, NSW Waratahs/Sydney University), 23 caps
17. Faliki Pohiva (#219, NSW Waratahs/Blacktown Scorpions), 9 caps
18. Bridie O’Gorman (#180, NSW Waratahs/Sydney University), 39 caps
19. Michaela Leonard (#168, Western Force/Tuggeranong Vikings), 44 caps
20. Dillyn Blackburn* (Queensland Reds/Gympie Hammers), debut
21. Ella Ryan* (ACT Brumbies/Canberra Royals), debut
22. Ava Wereta* (Queensland Reds/Coomera Crushers), debut
23. Waiaria Ellis (#225, NSW Waratahs/Blacktown Scorpions), 4 caps
