NSW Waratahs Women have named their side to take on the Melbourne Rebels in Round 3 of the Buildcorp Super Rugby Women's competition this Friday at 5:05pm AEDT at Allianz Stadium.
After a record 62-21 victory against the Drua, the Waratahs returned home on top of the table. However, Head Coach Mike Ruthven has left nothing to chance this weekend against the Rebels and has only made one change to the match day 23.
In the front row, Brianna Hoy makes her starting debut for the year, and Brittany Merlo and Bridie O'Gorman remain at hooker and tighthead prop.
Kaitlan Leaney and Atasi Lafai will hold their lock pairing for the second week in a row.
The back row will also remain the same with Leilani Nathan, Skye Churchill, and Captain Piper Duck rounding off the forwards.
For the third week in a row, Ruthven has named an unchanged backline.
Wallaroos pair Layne Morgan and Arabella McKenzie team up in the halves.
The pillars of the backline, Katrina Barker and Georgina Friedrichs, will continue their formidable partnership at inside and outside centre.
The dangerous back three of Desiree Miller, Maya Stewart, and Caitlyn Halse, will look to continue their try-scoring ways on Friday night. Stewart has been particularly dangerous, scoring five tries in her last three games.
Emily Robinson moves to the bench alongside fellow Wallaroos Eva Karpani and Sera Naiqama. They will be joined by Hollie Cameron and Siusiuosalafai Volkman.
Tatum Bird and Waiaria will look to continue to make an impact off the bench, whilst Jacinta Windsor will make her return to the match day 23, as the only change from last week.
Ruthven is excited to be back home and for the challenge against the Rebels.
“It’s important that we back up the strong performance against Fiji this week against the Rebels," Ruthven said.
"We took a lot of confidence from that performance, and we have been blessed with continuity around our match day 23.
"The Rebels will be a good challenge and we are looking forward to being back at home.”
1. Loosehead Prop
2. Hooker
3. Tighthead Prop
4. Left Lock
5. Right Lock
6. Left Flanker
7. Right Flanker
8. Number 8
9. Scrumhalf
10. Flyhalf
11. Left Wing
12. Inside Centre
13. Outside Centre
14. Right Wing
15. Fullback
16. Reserve
17. Reserve
18. Reserve
19. Reserve
20. Reserve
21. Reserve
22. Reserve
23. Reserve
Brianna Hoy (10 caps)
Brittany Merlo (5 caps)
Bridie O'Gorman (22 caps)
Kaitlan Leaney (11 caps)
Atasi Lafai (10 caps)
Leilani Nathan (8 caps)
Skye Churchill (4 caps)
Piper Duck © (17 caps)
Layne Morgan (20 caps)
Arabella McKenzie (17 caps)
Desiree Miller (8 caps)
Katrina Barker (26 caps)
Georgina Friedrichs (vc) (19 caps)
Maya Stewart (19 caps)
Caitlyn Halse (8 caps)
Siusiuosalafai Volkman (2 cap)
Emily Robinson (28 caps)
Eva Karpani (19 caps)
Sera Naiqama (21)
Hollie Cameron (2 cap)
Tatum Bird (10 caps)
Waiaria Ellis (2 cap)
Jacinta Windsor (3 caps)
NSW Waratahs Women v Melbourne Rebels Women
Friday 29 March – Allianz Stadium
Kick-off 5:05 PM AEDT
LIVE ON STAN SPORT RUGBY
