Playmaker Faitala Moleka returns to the Wallaroos starting lineup for Friday night's second and final Australian Mining Test match against Wales at North Sydney Oval on Friday night (7pm AEST).
Having been rested for last weekend's 21-12 loss in the first Test, the 20-year-old is named in her usual position of fly half alongside Brumbies Katalina Amosa, Tabua Tuinakauvadra in the starting lineup. With Tania Naden, Lydia Kavoa, Ashley Fernandez and Tia Hinds.
The Wallaroos can square the series with victory on Friday night as part of a four-day rugby festival at North Sydney Oval. Wallaroos coach Jo Yapp said: "We were disappointed with last week’s performance. We've all had some honest reviews, and we are pleased with how the squad has responded at training. "Unfortunately we’ve had injuries to Eva and Bree which has meant calling in Alapeta and we know Alapeta will come in and do a great job. "We are also excited for Maya Stewart’s return after injury. With a short turnaround we are looking forward to playing at North Sydney Oval in our final game before the World Cup." The Wallaroos World Cup squad will be announced on Monday, August 4 at Allianz Stadium from 11:00am AEST. A 32-player squad will then depart for England on August 11 with the first pool match kicking off against Samoa on August 23. WALLAROOS TEAM TO PLAY WALES 1. Faliki Pohiva (#219 - Blacktown Scorpions) – 3 caps 2. Katalina Amosa (#218 - Southern Districts) – 5 caps 3. Bridie O’Gorman (#180 - Sydney University) – 32 caps 4. Kaitlan Leaney (#179 - SCU Marlins) – 30 caps 5. Michaela Leonard (#168 - Tuggeranong Vikings) – 37 caps 6. Piper Duck (#185 - Tumut Bullettes) – 17 caps 7. Emily Chancellor (c) (#158 - Sydney University) – 29 caps 8. Tabua Tuinakauvadra (#200 - Orange Emus) – 17 caps 9. Samantha Wood (#207 – Kalamunda Rugby) – 6 caps 10. Faitala Moleka (#199 – Blacktown Scorpions) – 21 caps 11. Desiree Miller (#204 - Eastern Suburbs) – 18 caps 12. Trilleen Pomare (#155 - Wanneroo) – 39 caps 13. Georgina Friedrichs (#178 – Wests Bulldogs) – 33 caps 14. Maya Stewart (#196 – Nelson Bay Gropers) – 17 caps 15. Caitlyn Halse (#210 – Camden Rams) – 10 caps Reserves: 16. Tania Naden (#197 - Uni-North Owls) – 24 caps 17. Lydia Kavoa (#214 - Eastern Suburbs) – 8 caps 18. Alapeta Ngauamo (#215 – Wests Bulldogs) – 3 caps 19. Ashley Fernandez (#221 – Uni-North Owls) – 3 caps 20. Ashley Marsters (#117 - Boroondara) – 40 caps 21. Layne Morgan (#188 - Merewether Carlton) – 35 caps 22. Tia Hinds (#222 - Randwick) – 5 caps 23. Waiaria Ellis (#225 - Blacktown Scorpions) – 3 caps
Players unavailable for selection:
- Bree-Anna Browne (leg)
- Charlotte Caslick (ankle)
- Sally Fuesaina (calf)
- Brianna Hoy (knee)
- Eva Karpani (back)
- Atasi Lafai (knee)
- Leilani Nathan (knee)
- Siokapesi Palu (foot)
- Bienne Terita (hamstring)
Watch the Wallaroos take on Wales on August 1 live and on-demand via Stan Sport.WALLAROOS 2025 TEST SCHEDULE
- Saturday, May 3: Wallaroos 43 defeated Fijiana 7 at HFC Bank Stadium, Suva
- Saturday, May 10: Wallaroos 12 defeated by Black Ferns 38 at McDonald Jones Stadium, Newcastle
- Saturday, May 17: Wallaroos 27 defeated USA 19 at GIO Stadium, Canberra
- Friday, May 23: Canada 45 defeated Wallaroos 7 at Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane
- Saturday, July 12: Wallaroos 12 defeated by Black Ferns 37 at Sky Stadium, Wellington
- Saturday, July 26: Wales 21 defeated Wallaroos 12 at Ballymore Stadium, Brisbane
- Friday, August 1: Wallaroos v Wales, North Sydney Oval - 7:00pm AEST
RUGBY WORLD CUP 2025
- Saturday, August 23: Wallaroos v Samoa, Salford Community Stadium, Manchester - 9:00pm AEST
- Sunday, August 31: Wallaroos v USA at York Community Stadium, York - 4:30am AEST
- Sunday, September 7: Wallaroos v England at Brighton and Hove Stadium, Brighton and Hove - 2:00am AEST
