Safeguard Global ACT Brumbies Women's Captain Siokapesi Palu will lead the Wallaroos in their opening tour match against Ireland at Kingspan Stadium, Belfast on Saturday evening (11:30PM AEST).
The Wallaroos have headed north where they will play Ireland and Wales ahead of their WXV 2 campaign held in Cape Town, South Africa at the end of this month.
Palu (Uni-Norths Owls) will lead Australia, which also includes Brumbies squad members Tabua Tuinakauvadra (Tuggeranong Vikings) and Faitala Moleka (Uni-Norths Owls) in the starting line-up. With Lydia Kavoa (Uni-Norths Owls) and Biola Dawa (Uni-Norths Owls) providing spark off the interchange bench.
Wallaroos coach Jo Yapp said, “We’re all really excited to be here in Belfast and I’ve been pleased with how the players have settled in and responded with the travel and being away from home.
“We want to put in a good performance on Saturday and build on what we’ve been working on in recent camps.
“It’s a new-look side selected and it’s important with a few injuries to build depth in key areas and give players an opportunity.
It is the first time the Wallaroos will play Ireland since the 2017 World Cup.
The Wallaroos will then travel to Cardiff on Sunday ahead of their next match against Wales at Newport Parade on September 21 (4:00am AEST).
Wallaroos v Ireland
Kingspan Stadium, Belfast
Saturday 14 September, 11:30PM AEST
Starting XV
1. Bridie O'Gorman
2. Ashley Marsters
3. Eva Karpani
4. Kaitlan Leaney
5. Michaela Leonard
6. Siokapesi Palu (c) (Uni-Norths Owls)
7. Leilani Nathan
8. Tabua Tuinakauvadra (Tuggeranong Vikings)
9. Natalie Wright
10. Faitala Moleka (Uni-Norths Owls)
11. Desiree Miller
12. Cecilia Smith
13. Georgina Friedrichs
14. Maya Stewart
15. Lori Cramer
Interchange
16. Tiarna Molloy
17. Alapeta Ngauamo
18. Lydia Kavoa (Uni-Norths Owls)
19. Tiarah Minns
20. Lucy Dinnen
21. Layne Morgan
22. Arabella McKenzie
23. Biola Dawa (Canberra Royals)
