The Wallaroos have unveiled their team for their final pool match of the 2025 Rugby World Cup, with head coach Jo Yapp welcoming back captain Siokapesi Palu from injury.
In a sign of her intent, Yapp has made six changes to her side that drew with the USA. On paper, she has mustered close to a full strength squad to throw everything at the Red Roses on Sunday (AEST) morning in Brighton.
Watch the 2025 Women's Rugby World Cup live and on-demand via Stan Sport.
Among the changes will be a significant injection of experience, with 40-capped Wallaroos Ashley Marsters, Trilleen Pomare and Michaela Leonard all in the starting side.
The club will grow this weekend too, with Eva Karpani set to become the fourth player to hit the 40-cap milestone, coming into the starting side.
She will headline a complete change to the front row, with Adiana Talakai and Lydia Kavoa also joining her.
Yapp is also going bold in the loose forwards, with two changes seeing Marsters join Piper Duck, while Palu makes her long-awaited return from a foot injury, being named as captain for the fixture.
Samantha Wood and Faitala Moleka will retain their position in the halves, while Pomare will come into inside centre to partner Georgina Friedrichs.
Yapp will stick with consistency in the back three, with Maya Stewart, Desiree Miller and Caitlyn Halse completing the side.
The Wallaroos coach has made several bold calls with the bench, with a 6-2 set up seeing experienced scrum half Layne Morgan miss out.
Tia Hinds and Cecilia Smith will provide a late injection as the backline options, while Yapp has gone for a combination of brawn and experience in the front row options, with Tania Naden, Bride O’Gorman and Faliki Pohiva all included.
Annabelle Codey will retain her bench position from last week, and to fill the last two bench spots Yapp has added ball carrying, workhorse options Emily Chancellor and Tabua Tuinakauvadra to provide momentum in the back half of the match.
The result is one of the most experienced Wallaroo squads ever assembled, with a combined 515 caps set to take on England.
“We’re really pleased to have Pesi back at this stage of the World Cup," Yapp said.
“She has worked tremendously hard with her rehab and we are excited to have her back as both a player and leader.
“We know the permutations around the game against England on Saturday but the focus remains on ourselves and improving on last week.
“We could not fault the effort of the group last week, but we also recognised there are key areas we need to improve on in preparation for our next game.”
1. Lydia Kavoa (#214 - Eastern Suburbs) – 10 caps
2. Adiana Talakai (#182 - Sydney University) – 19 caps
3. Asoiva Karpani (#171 - Southern Suburbs) – 39 caps
4. Kaitlan Leaney (#179 - SCU Marlins) – 33 caps
5. Michaela Leonard (#168 - Tuggeranong Vikings) – 40 caps
6. Piper Duck (#185 - Tumut Bullettes) – 20 caps
7. Ashley Marsters (#117 - Boroondara) – 43 caps
8. Siokapesi Palu (c) (#194 - Rockdale Rangers) – 21 caps
9. Samantha Wood (#207 - Kalamunda Rugby) – 9 caps
10. Faitala Moleka (#199 - Blacktown Scorpions) – 24 caps
11. Desiree Miller (#204 - Eastern Suburbs) – 21 caps
12. Trilleen Pomare (#155 - Wanneroo) – 41 caps
13. Georgina Friedrichs (#178 - Wests Bulldogs) – 36 caps
14. Maya Stewart (#196 - Nelson Bay Gropers) – 20 caps
15. Caitlyn Halse (#210 - Camden Rams) – 13 caps
Reserves
16. Tania Naden (#197 - Uni-North Owls) – 26 caps
17. Faliki Pohiva (#219 - Blacktown Scorpions) – 6 caps
18. Bridie O’Gorman (#180 - Sydney University) – 35 caps
19. Annabelle Codey (#189 - Easts Brisbane) – 7 caps
20. Emily Chancellor (#158 - Sydney University) – 32 caps
21. Tabua Tuinakauvadra (#200 - Orange Emus) – 20 caps
22. Tia Hinds (#222 - Randwick) – 8 caps
23. Cecilia Smith (#190 - Leeton Dianas) – 26 caps
