Six Brumbies have been included in the Wallaroos team as they aim for an elusive maiden victory over the Black Ferns in the second instalment of the O’Reilly Cup for 2025. Tania Naden, Siokapesi Palu, Tabua Tuinakauvadra, Tia Hinds, Faitala Moleka and Lydia Kavoa are all named, with Kavoa recalled to the matchday 23 after returning from a calf injury.
Head coach Jo Yapp complimented the squad's approach and preparation for this huge clash. "We also welcome back Piper Duck, Lydia Kavoa, Sammy Wood and Annabelle Codey, who are all great inclusions for us at this time of the year," Yapp said. "Our World Cup preparations are well and truly underway and we have been really impressed with how the players are stepping up at training." Hinds gets the nod at flyhalf with Moleka switching to fullback, while Naden returns to start in the front row. Tuinakauvadra will take to the field at number eight after scoring in the 50-22 win for Australia A over Manusina Samoa at her home ground of Viking Park last month.
Palu again leads the team from blindside flanker. The Wallaroos will wear their alternate First Nations jersey in Wellington on Saturday as part of NAIDOC week celebrations. The countdown for Rugby World Cup 2025 continues. Tickets to our two remaining home Tests against Wales are available at wallaroos.rugby/tickets WALLAROOS TEAM TO PLAY NEW ZEALAND
1. Faliki Pohiva (#219 - Blacktown Scorpions) – 2 caps 2. Tania Naden (#197 - Uni-North Owls) – 22 caps 3. Bridie O’Gorman (#180 - Sydney University) – 30 caps 4. Kaitlan Leaney (#179 - CSU Marlins) – 28 caps 5. Michaela Leonard (#168 - Tuggeranong Vikings) – 36 caps 6. Siokapesi Palu (c) (#194 - Rockdale Rangers) – 20 caps 7. Ashley Marsters (#117 - Boroondara) – 38 caps 8. Tabua Tuinakauvadra (#200 - Orange Emus) – 15 caps 9. Layne Morgan (#188 - Merewether Carlton) – 33 caps 10. Tia Hinds (#222 - Randwick) – 3 caps 11. Desiree Miller (#204 - Eastern Suburbs) – 16 caps 12. Trilleen Pomare (#155 - Wanneroo) – 37 caps 13. Charlotte Caslick (#220 - Wests Bulldogs) – 4 caps 14. Waiaria Ellis (Blacktown Scorpions)* – debut 15. Faitala Moleka (#199 - Blacktown Scorpions) – 20 caps Reserves 16. Adiana Talakai (#182 - Sydney University) – 17 caps 17. Lydia Kavoa (#214 - Eastern Suburbs) – 6 caps 18. Asoiva (Eva) Karpani (#171 - Southern Suburbs) – 35 caps 19. Annabelle Codey (#189 – Easts Brisbane) – 5 caps 20. Piper Duck (#185 – Tumut Bullettes) – 15 caps 21. Emily Chancellor (#158 - Sydney University) – 27 caps 22. Samantha Wood (#207 – Kalamunda Rugby) – 4 caps 23. Cecilia Smith (#190 - Leeton Dianas) – 22 caps *denotes debutant
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: Black Ferns v Wallaroos, Sky Stadium, Wellington - 2:30pm AEST (O'Reilly Cup)
- Saturday, July 26: Wallaroos v Wales, Ballymore Stadium, Brisbane - 2:00pm AEST
- 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
