Hot on the heels of the eight names confirmed last week, the Wallaroos have confirmed five more players on new Rugby Australia contracts for the 2026 season.
With a combined 132 caps of experience, Emily Chancellor, Piper Duck, Tania Naden, Cecilia Smith, and Adiana Talakai have all put pen to paper to be part of the next chapter of the women’s national side.
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Having served as a Wallaroo captain in 2025, Chancellor is a key signing for the program, returning for her eighth year in rugby, while Piper Duck made her way back into the side for the 2025 season after a long setback from injury.
Both players will be pushing for their third World Cup when the tournament arrives on Australian shores in 2029.
Nearly 50 caps have been secured in the hooker position, with Tania Naden and Adiana Talakai playing a key part of the Wallaroos’ improving set piece over the last two years, becoming the most experienced hookers in the team’s history.
Lastly, Cecilia Smith’s signature is set to be one of the most crucial, with the centre likely to play a leading role for the 2026 season following the retirement of fellow centre Trilleen Pomare from international rugby.
The Wallaroos are set to confirm more players through their contracting period for the 2026 season, a year that is set to include 10 Test matches, set to be released soon.
General Manager of Women’s Rugby Jilly Collins said she was delighted to secure some of Australian rugby's most experienced players, and is excited by the progression of the recruitment process.
“Emily is a leader within the Wallaroos squad; her captaincy during the Wales series and at the World Cup was a huge personal achievement and a reflection of her influence,” Collins said in an statement.
“As one of the most experienced players, she works tirelessly on the field and serves as a role model who many young players look up to.
“Tania is a quiet achiever who is deeply admired by her Wallaroos teammates. She brings plenty of experience with 27 caps and is a crucial contributor to our success around the set piece.
“Piper has had a fantastic second half of the season, consistently playing Test matches after battling a tough injury run.
“Her skill levels were clear at the World Cup, where she proved both damaging in attack and a workhorse in defence.
“Cecilia is a valued member of our backline, and her Wallaroos Player of the Year nomination in 2025 reflects the key performer she was for us this year.
“We're looking forward to seeing her continue to contribute and develop her game in this new World Cup cycle.
“Adi enjoyed a successful return to the Wallaroos this season following a knee injury.
“Her three tries at the World Cup were a fantastic reward for her resilience and the hard work she put in to get back into the gold jersey.”
Michaela Leonard, Kaitlan Leaney, Brianna Hoy, Ash Fernandez, Tabua Tuinakauvadra, Bridie O’Gorman, Samantha Wood, and Tiarah Minns are the other names that have committed to the Wallaroos for the 2026 season.
Emily Chancellor
- Position: Backrow
- DOB: 20/8/1991
- Caps: 34
- Junior Club: Sydney University
- 2025 Super Rugby Club: NSW Waratahs
- Test Debut: Australia v New Zealand, 2018
- World Cups: 2 (2021, 2025)
Piper Duck
- Position: Backrow
- DOB: 2/4/2001
- Caps: 22
- Junior Club: Tumut Bullettes
- 2025 Super Rugby Club: NSW Waratahs
- Test Debut: Australia v Fiji, 2022
- World Cups: 2 (2021, 2025)
Tania Naden
- Position: Hooker
- DOB: 20/2/1992
- Caps: 27
- Junior Club: Uni-North Owls
- 2025 Super Rugby Club: ACT Brumbies
- Test Debut: Australia v Wales, 2022
- World Cups: 2 (2021, 2025)
Cecilia Smith
- Position: Centre
- DOB: 13/3/1994
- Caps: 28
- Junior Club: Leeton Dianas
- 2025 Super Rugby Club: Western Force
- Test Debut: Australia v New Zealand, 2022
Adiana Talakai
- Position: Hooker
- DOB: 24/2/1999
- Caps: 21
- Junior Club: Sydney University
- 2025 Super Rugby Club: NSW Waratahs
- Test Debut: Australia v Fiji, 2022
