Wallaroos forward Eva Karpani is set to become just the second player to reach 50 Test caps after being named on the bench for Friday’s WXV Global Series clash against Scotland at GIO Stadium in Canberra (7:30pm AEDT).
Karpani will join Michaela Leonard in the 50th milestone club as the Wallaroos make two personnel changes to the side that defeated Scotland 56-12 in Sydney last week.
Karpani made her debut for the Wallaroos against Japan in 2019 and currently sits third on the all-time Australian try-scorers list with 16 behind wingers Desiree Miller and Maya Stewart.
The 30-year-old grew up in South Australia and started playing rugby, featuring in Rugby Sevens teams alongside the likes of Olympic gold medallists Charlotte Caslick and Emma Verran, before transitioning to XVs.
Karpani moved to Sydney, where she played for the NSW Waratahs and more recently the Queensland Reds.
Miller (calf) is unavailable for the final Test match of the season with a reshuffle to the starting XV which includes Faitala Moleka shifting to fullback and Cecilia Smith back in the centres.
Tania Naden and Brittany Merlo switch places at hooker while Tiarah Minns will start at lock with Leonard moving back to the bench. Ella Ryan is the new face in jersey No.23.
Emily Chancellor will start at openside flanker in the final Test of her career after announcing her retirement at the conclusion of the WXV Global Series earlier this week.
Director of Women’s High Performance Tim Walsh said: “Team performances have improved every Test during WXV and it’s important that we finish the season strongly before launching into our integrated women’s program and the 2027 season.
“We are building some strong combinations and selections are reflective of this. It’s a great achievement for Eva Karpani to reach 50 Tests and we want to make it a memorable one for her, Emily Chancellor and all other players and staff.”
The Wallaroos will play at GIO Stadium for a third time in history which has included victories over the USA (2025) and Fijiana (2026) previously.
Scotland are touring Australia for the first time and are yet to defeat the Wallaroos in six head-to-head matches played since 1998.
Watch the Wallaroos during the 2026 WXV Global Series live and on-demand on Stan Sport.
WALLAROOS TEAM FOR TEST AGAINST SCOTLAND
1.Allana Sikimeti - #212 (Western Force/Norths Rugby) – 7 caps
2. Tania Naden - #197 (ACT Brumbies/Uni-North Owls) – 34 caps
3. Faliki Pohiva - #219 (NSW Waratahs/Blacktown Scorpions) – 15 caps
4. Kaitlan Leaney - #179 (NSW Waratahs/SCU Marlins) – 44 caps
5. Tiarah Minns - #217 (Queensland Reds/Melbourne University) - 7 caps
6. Siokapesi Palu Sekona (c) - #194 (ACT Brumbies/Rockdale Rangers) – 32 caps
7. Emily Chancellor - #158 (NSW Waratahs/Sydney University) – 41 caps
8. Piper Duck - #185 (NSW Waratahs/Tumut Bullettes) – 31 caps
9. Samantha Wood - #207 (Western Force/Kalamunda Rugby) – 20 caps
10. Waiaria Ellis - #225 (NSW Waratahs/Blacktown Scorpions) – 11 caps
11. Amelia Whitaker - #237 (NSW Waratahs/Randwick) – 4 caps
12. Cecilia Smith - #190 (Western Force/Leeton Dianas) – 33 caps
13. Georgina Friedrichs - #178 (NSW Waratahs/Wests Bulldogs) – 46 caps
14. Maya Stewart - #196 (NSW Waratahs/Nelson Bay Gropers) – 28 caps
15. Faitala Moleka - #199 (ACT Brumbies/Blacktown Scorpions) – 35 caps
Reserves
16. Brittany Merlo - #230 (NSW Waratahs/Sydney University) – 8 caps
17. Brianna Hoy - #203 (NSW Waratahs/Coffs Harbour Snappers) – 18 caps
18. Eva Karpani - #171 (Queensland Reds/Southern Suburbs) – 49 caps
19. Michaela Leonard - #168 (Western Force/Tuggeranong Vikings) – 51 caps
20. Pia Tapsell - #236 (Western Force/North Shore Rugby Club) – 5 caps
21. Lily Bone - #229 (ACT Brumbies/Orange City) – 7 caps
22. Piper Simons - #231 (NSW Waratahs/Gordon Rugby) – 3 caps
23. Ella Ryan - #234 (ACT Brumbies/Canberra Royals) – 1 cap
Players unavailable for selection due to injury
- Caitlyn Halse (concussion symptoms)
- Desiree Miller (calf)
WALLAROOS 2026 TEST SCHEDULE
- March 27: Wallaroos 33 defeated Fijiana 15 at GIO Stadium
- April 11: Canada 24 defeated Wallaroos 0 at Heart Health Park, Sacramento, USA
- April 17: USA 33 defeated Wallaroos 12 at CPKC Stadium, Kansas City, USA
- April 25: Wallaroos 5 defeated by New Zealand 40 at Sunshine Coast Stadium
- August 22: New Zealand 66 defeated Wallaroos 19 at Go Media Stadium, Auckland WXV Global Series
- September 13: England 48 defeated Wallaroos 15 at CorpAcq Stadium, Salford
- September 20: France 29 defeated Wallaroos 26 at Stade Maurice David, Aix-en-Provence
- September 27: Scotland 10 defeated by Wallaroos 30 at Hive Stadium, Edinburgh
- October 17: Wallaroos 56 defeated Scotland 12 at Accor Stadium, Sydney
- October 23: Wallaroos v Scotland at GIO Stadium, Canberra - 7:30pm AEDT
