The Wallaroos have announced their squad for the first match of their end-of-year tour, with a new halves combination and the return of key stars to the side.
However, the big news is Western Force duo Alapeta Ngauamo, Lucy Dinnen and Melbourne Rebels forward Tiarah Minns are set to make their international debuts from the bench.
It has been a long time coming for the 31-year-old Dinnen, having been included in several Wallaroo training squads for the best part of a decade.
She moved to the Western Force for the 2024 Super W season after several promising seasons in Queensland, that included winning the Super W Player of the Year in 2021.
Despite her lack of national caps, Dinnen’s experience and success on both sides of the country should serve the Wallaroos well, as will the 36-year-old Alapeta Ngauamo, who similarly joined the Force from Queensland in 2024 and featured in their entire Super W season.
At the other end, Tiarah Mills will make her debut aged 23, having recovered from several injuries to enjoy a breakout season for the Melbourne Rebels in 2024 that saw immediately come onto the radar of Jo Yapp – with depth in the tight five sorely needed for the women in gold.
Yapp will be experimenting with several changes in the main squad as well, with Ashley Marsters moved into the front row to play hooker, while Leilani Nathan moves up from the bench into the starting side to partner with Tabua Tuinakauvadra – who comes in for the injured Piper Duck.
Maya Stewart will be a welcome addition to the Wallaroos as they head into hostile territory in Belfast. (Photo by Matt King/Getty Images)
Brianna Hoy will move out of the starting side after suffering an ACL injury, which will see Bridie O’Gorman join Eva Karpani in front row. Michaela Leonard is also set to hand over the captaincy to Brumbies veteran Siokapesi Palu.
However, the backline is where Yapp has unveiled her new test – with a new halves combination in Natalie Wright and Faitala Moleka set to unleash a full-strength backline, with Maya Stewart also returning to the starting side.
The Wallaroos’ original starting halves pairing Layne Morgan and Arabella McKenzie will be relegated to the bench – a handy card for Yapp to play to close out festivities in Dublin.
The Wallaroos will expect a hostile reception from the Irish in their first test match since, with their side having finished third in the 2024 Six Nations and qualifying for WXV 1 later this year. It is the first time both sides have faced off since the 2017 World Cup.
Wallaroos Squad to face Ireland
1. Bridie O’Gorman (#180 – Sydney University) – 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 – Eastern 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 – University of Queensland) – 23 caps
Reserves
16. Tiarna Molloy (#191 – Inverell Highlanders) – 3 caps
17. Alapeta Ngauamo* (Wests Bulldogs) – uncapped
18. Lydia Kavoa (#214 – Eastern Suburbs) – 1 cap
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
