Wallaroos coach Jo Yapp has endorsed captain Emily Chancellor as the Waratahs star becomes the 19th player to captain the side against Wales on Saturday.
Chancellor takes the captaincy from Siokapesi Palu, who damaged her foot in the loss to New Zealand earlier in the month.
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Yapp named Chancellor as vice captain earlier in the year alongside Palu, however, used her a bench option as she continued to come back from a long term knee injury.
The Waratah slots back into blindside flanker with Palu out, joined by Ash Marsters and Tabua Tuinakauadra in the back row.
“She's a natural leader in the group and always taken some form of leadership in this group,” Yapp said.
“It's just a natural step for her to come in as captain. She leads regardless, and her and ‘Pesi have worked really well together, so this is a great opportunity for her and one I know that she'll step up into really well.
“..[Chancellor off the bench] has complemented her role as a finisher, having her leadership at the end of the games has been huge and now it will be as important from the start.”
Fellow Waratahs teammate Kaitlan Leaney backed Chancellor to step into the role and thrive.
"I'm really excited for 'Chance' to get this opportunity. She's an incredible leader and always has been since I've gotten to know her," she remarked.
"Nothing really [has] changed for the way that she goes about her business. She's a natural leader and leads through her actions, and also is really good at pulling the team together and getting clear and concise points across."
In further changes, Annabelle Codey replaces Michaela Leonard, with the former captain rested as Yapp backs her depth.
“‘Mac’ and [Kaitlan] Leaney have been our two starting locks for some time, and they're both really proven themselves,” she said.
“We rested Leaney earlier in the year to have a look at a different combination, and for us right now, with Leaney and Mac having so much of the game time, it's important for us that in that lock position that we get game time for the two other locks in [Annabelle] Codey and Ash [Fernandez] in preparation for the World Cup.”
The Wallaroos are expected to be boosted by the return of superstar winger Maya Stewart for next week’s farewell match in Sydney before their World Cup departure.
Prop Brianna Hoy is also pushing for a return in the coming weeks, likely for the World Cup while Yapp confirmed Bienne Terita won’t return in 2025 after her hamstring injury.
Meanwhile, Palu and Caslick remain away from the group as they push for a return at the World Cup.
