Wallaroos trio Dillyn Blackburn, Ella Ryan and Ava Wereta are all in line for their Wallaroos debut as interim coach Sam Needs names his side to face the USA in Kansas City on Saturday, 11am (AEST).
It comes as Needs makes four personnel changes to the team that went down to Canada in Sacramento, with experienced hooker Tania Naden headlining the changes.
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All three have been named on the bench, with Ryan and Wereta set to cover the backline alongside Waiaria Ellis.
For Ryan, it completes her successful return to Rugby after a stint in the NRLW with the Canberra Raiders, while Wereta is another Sevens convert, helping Australia to Youth Commonwealth Games gold in 2023.
Meanwhile, back-rower Blackburn has emerged through the Queensland Rugby pathways via Wests and the Reds.
In the starting side, Naden, Eva Karpani, and Piper Duck have all been added, with the latter two elevated from the bench.
Naden and Karpani partner Brianna Hoy in the front-row, with Duck’s return seeing Kaitlan Leaney shuffle back into the second-row.
Michaela Leonard, Adiana Talakai and Bridie O’Gorman are all named as finishers, with former skipper Leonard set to equal the record for most Wallaroos appearances on 45 Tests.
In further milestones, Duck and winger Maya Stewart will bring up 25 caps.
“We had some great moments last week despite the conditions and are looking to sharpen up some other areas against USA,” Needs said
“The clashes between both sides of late have been close, competitive and we expect the same on their home turf in Kansas on Friday.
“It’s really exciting to have three debutants in our 23, and we look forward to seeing them make the most of their opportunities at the next level.”
It’s the first time the two teams will face off since the 2025 Rugby World Cup, where both teams played out an entertaining 31-all draw. WALLAROOS TEAM TO PLAY USA
1. Brianna Hoy (#203 - NSW Waratahs/Coffs Harbour Snappers) – 11 caps
2. Tania Naden (197 – ACT Brumbies/Uni-North Owls) – 27 caps
3. Eva Karpani (#171 - Queensland Reds/Southern Suburbs) – 43 caps
4. Kaitlan Leaney (#179 - NSW Waratahs/SCU Marlins) – 37 caps
5. Tiarah Minns (#217 - Queensland Reds/Melbourne University) – 4 caps
6. Siokapesi Palu Sekona (c) (#194 - ACT Brumbies/Rockdale Rangers) – 25 caps
7. Emily Chancellor (#158 - NSW Waratahs/Sydney University) – 36 caps
8. Piper Duck (#185 - NSW Waratahs/Tumut Bullettes) – 24 caps
9. Samantha Wood (#207 - Western Force/Kalamunda Rugby Club) – 13 caps
10. Nicole Ledington (#226 - Western Force/Kalamunda Rugby Club) – 2 caps
11. Desiree Miller (#204 - NSW Waratahs/Eastern Suburbs) – 25 caps
12. Sidney Taylor (#227 - Queensland Reds/Wests Bulldogs) – 2 caps
13. Georgina Friedrichs (#178 - NSW Waratahs/Wests Bulldogs) – 40 caps
14. Maya Stewart (#196 - NSW Waratahs/Nelson Bay Gropers) – 24 caps
15. Faitala Moleka (#199 - ACT Brumbies/Blacktown Scorpions) – 28 caps
Reserves
16. Adiana Talakai (#182 - NSW Waratahs/Sydney University) – 23 caps
17. Faliki Pohiva (#219 - NSW Waratahs/Blacktown Scorpions) – 9 caps
18. Bridie O’Gorman (#180 - NSW Waratahs/Sydney University) – 39 caps
19. Michaela Leonard (#168 - Western Force/Tuggeranong Vikings) – 44 caps
20. Dillyn Blackburn* (Queensland Reds/Gympie Hammers) – debut
21. Ella Ryan* (ACT Brumbies/Canberra Royals) – debut
22. Ava Wereta* (Queensland Reds/Coomera Crushers) – debut
23. Waiaria Ellis (#225 - NSW Waratahs/Blacktown Scorpions) – 4 caps * denotes debut Unavailable for selection due to injury
- Ashley Fernandez (shoulder)
- Cecilia Smith (hamstring)
