The Wallaroos have introduced their squad for the primary match of their end-of-year tour, with a brand new halves mixture and the return of key stars to the facet.
Nevertheless, the large information is Western Drive duo Alapeta Ngauamo, Lucy Dinnen and Melbourne Rebels ahead Tiarah Minns are set to make their worldwide debuts from the bench.
It has been a very long time coming for the 31-year-old Dinnen, having been included in a number of Wallaroo coaching squads for the most effective a part of a decade.
She moved to the Western Drive for the 2024 Tremendous W season after a number of promising seasons in Queensland, that included profitable the Tremendous W Participant of the 12 months in 2021.
Regardless of her lack of nationwide caps, Dinnen’s expertise and success on each side of the nation ought to serve the Wallaroos effectively, as will the 36-year-old Alapeta Ngauamo, who equally joined the Drive from Queensland in 2024 and featured of their total Tremendous W season.
On the different finish, Tiarah Mills will make her debut aged 23, having recovered from a number of accidents to get pleasure from a breakout season for the Melbourne Rebels in 2024 that noticed instantly come onto the radar of Jo Yapp – with depth within the tight 5 sorely wanted for the ladies in gold.
Yapp will probably be experimenting with a number of adjustments in the primary squad as effectively, with Ashley Marsters moved into the entrance row to play hooker, whereas Leilani Nathan strikes up from the bench into the beginning facet to companion with Tabua Tuinakauvadra – who is available in for the injured Piper Duck.
Maya Stewart will probably be a welcome addition to the Wallaroos as they head into hostile territory in Belfast. (Picture by Matt King/Getty Pictures)
Brianna Hoy will transfer out of the beginning facet after struggling an ACL damage, which is able to see Bridie O’Gorman be part of Eva Karpani in entrance row. Michaela Leonard can be set at hand over the captaincy to Brumbies veteran Siokapesi Palu.
Nevertheless, the backline is the place Yapp has unveiled her new take a look at – with a brand new halves mixture in Natalie Wright and Faitala Moleka set to unleash a full-strength backline, with Maya Stewart additionally returning to the beginning facet.
The Wallaroos’ authentic beginning halves pairing Layne Morgan and Arabella McKenzie will probably be relegated to the bench – a useful card for Yapp to play to shut out festivities in Dublin.
The Wallaroos will anticipate a hostile reception from the Irish of their first take a look at match since, with their facet having completed third within the 2024 Six Nations and qualifying for WXV 1 later this yr. It’s the first time each side have confronted off for the reason that 2017 World Cup.
Wallaroos Squad to face Eire
1. Bridie O’Gorman (#180 – Sydney College) – 22 caps
2. Ashley Marsters (#117 – Booroondarra) – 29 caps
3. Eva Karpani (#171 – Onkaparinga) – 26 caps
4. Kaitlan Leaney (#179 – CSU Marlins) – 20 caps
5. Michaela Leonard (#168 – Tuggeranong Vikings) – 27 caps
6. Siokapesi Palu (c) (#194 – Rockdale Rangers) – 11 caps
7. Leilani Nathan (#202 – Hamilton Hawks) – 7 caps
8. Tabua Tuinakauvadra (#200 – Tuggeranong Vikings) – 6 caps
9. Natalie Wright (#213 – Wests Bulldogs) – 2 caps
10. Faitala Moleka (#199 – Blacktown Scorpions) – 11 caps
11. Desiree Miller (#204 – Japanese Suburbs) – 7 caps
12. Cecilia Smith (#190 – Leeton Dianas) – 15 caps
13. Georgina Friedrichs (#178 – Wests Bulldogs) – 24 caps
14. Maya Stewart (#196 – Nelson Bay Gropers) – 11 caps
15. Lori Cramer (#172 – College of Queensland) – 23 caps
Reserves
16. Tiarna Molloy (#191 – Inverell Highlanders) – 3 caps
17. Alapeta Ngauamo* (Wests Bulldogs) – uncapped
18. Lydia Kavoa (#214 – Japanese Suburbs) – 1 capÂ
19. Tiarah Minns* (Melbourne Uni/Manly Mermaids) – uncapped
20. Lucy Dinnen* (Wanneroo) – uncapped
21. Layne Morgan (#188 – Merewether Carlton) – 26 caps
22. Arabella McKenzie (#175 – Lightning Ridge Tigers) – 26 caps
23. Biola Dawa (#211 – Wagga Reddies) – 2 caps
*Denotes debut
