After months of preparation, the Wallaroos are set to kick off their World Cup campaign this Saturday at Salford Community Stadium, confirming their team to play Samoa.
Emily Chancellor will co-captain the side with Kaitlan Leaney for the opening match, the lock becoming the 20th player to captain the side.
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Coach Jo Yapp is taking no chances against an unpredictable Samoan side, with only two changes to the starting side that blew away Wales 36-5 at North Sydney Oval at the start of August.
Those changes come in the form of Eva Karpani coming into the starting forward pack to replace Bridie O’Gorman, who will be rotated back to the bench for this opening match.
Cecilia Smith is set to reunite with her long time centre partner Georgina Friedrichs in the other starting change, with veteran Trilleen Pomare being rested for this fixture.
Samantha Wood has been rewarded for her strong performance at halfback against Wales with her second consecutive start, pairing Faitala Moleka in the halves.
Desiree Miller, Maya Stewart and Caitlyn Halse complete the back three, reuniting a dangerous attacking combination from 2024’s WXV 2 campaign.
Yapp has made several changes to the bench, with a new look replacement front row joining O’Gorman in Adiana Talakai and Brianna Hoy.
Talakai comes back into the squad after her last match against New Zealand in Wellington, while Hoy will make her first appearance since the 2024 Pacific Four Series, recovering from an ACL injury sustained during a training session in Ireland last September.
Veteran Lori Cramer will complete the bench changes, coming into the side as a handy utility back option.
"We’ve had a good week settling into Manchester with everyone making us feel really welcomed and the players have hit the ground running at training," said Yapp in an statement.
"We know Samoa will be a tough, physical side and we need to match it with them on Saturday.
"There are no second chances at a World Cup and for us it starts with a good performance in our first match and building from there.
"It’s also fantastic to see Bri Hoy back in the team. We know how hard she has worked to make a return in time for the World Cup and she is deserving of her spot.
"We’re also really pleased to be able to give co-captaincy to Kaitlan Leaney, who is growing as a leader in the team."
1. Faliki Pohiva (#219 - Blacktown Scorpions) – 4 caps
2. Katalina Amosa (#218 - Southern Districts) – 6 caps
3. Asoiva Karpani (#171 – Southern Suburbs) – 37 caps
4. Kaitlan Leaney (co-c) (#179 - SCU Marlins) – 31 caps
5. Michaela Leonard (#168 - Tuggeranong Vikings) – 38 caps
6. Piper Duck (#185 - Tumut Bullettes) – 18 caps
7. Emily Chancellor (co-c) (#158 - Sydney University) – 30 caps
8. Tabua Tuinakauvadra (#200 - Orange Emus) – 18 caps
9. Samantha Wood (#207 – Kalamunda Rugby) – 7 caps
10. Faitala Moleka (#199 – Blacktown Scorpions) – 22 caps
11. Desiree Miller (#204 - Eastern Suburbs) – 19 caps
12. Cecilia Smith (#190 – Leeton Dianas) – 24 caps
13. Georgina Friedrichs (#178 – Wests Bulldogs) – 34 caps
14. Maya Stewart (#196 – Nelson Bay Gropers) – 18 caps
15. Caitlyn Halse (#210 – Camden Rams) – 11 caps
Reserves
16. Adiana Talakai (#182 – Sydney University) – 18 caps
17. Brianna Hoy (#203 – Coffs Harbour Snappers) – 8 caps
18. Bridie O’Gorman (#180 – Sydney University) – 33 caps
19. Ashley Fernandez (#221 – Uni-North Owls) – 4 caps
20. Ashley Marsters (#117 - Boroondara) – 41 caps
21. Layne Morgan (#188 - Merewether Carlton) – 36 caps
22. Tia Hinds (#222 - Randwick) – 6 caps
23. Lori Cramer (#172 – University of Queensland) – 30 caps
