Chancellor to start on Wallaroos farewell as prop Karpani prepares for milestone against Scotland in Canberra

Wed, Oct 21, 2026, 1:00 AM
Nathan Williamson
by Nathan Williamson

Wallaroos legend Emily Chancellor will start in her farewell Test as the Australians freshen up their side for Friday's Test against Scotland in Canberra.

It comes as Eva Karpani is set to reach 50 Wallaroos games, selected on the bench.

Watch every second of the Wallaroos Test against Scotland live and on demand via Stan Sport.

Chancellor has been picked at openside flanker for the final Test of the year, having announced her international retirement during the week.

The Waratahs will end her career on 42 caps after a decorated stint in the gold jersey spanning over a decade and multiple World Cups.

She partners skipper Siokpaesi Palu Sekona and Piper Duck in the back row, one of four changes to the pack.

Tiarah Minns, Tania Naden and Allana Sikimeti have been handed starts, swapping with Michaela Leonard, Brittany Merlo and Brianna Hoy.

They are joined on the bench by milestone woman Karpani, set to become the second Wallaroo to reach 50 caps.

Hailing from South Australia, the powerhouse prop started her career in Sevens before moving to the 15s game to make her Wallaroos debut in 2019 against Japan.

Karpani has been a dominant force ever since, currently sitting third on the all-time tryscoring list with 16 behind Desiree Miller and Maya Stewart.

Meanwhile, the backline has been reshuffled after winger Miller's calf injury, paving the way for Cecilia Smith to start.

As a result, Faitala Moleka moves to fullback and Ella Ryan comes onto the bench.

“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," Director of Women’s High Performance Tim Walsh said.

“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 are undefeated against Scotland in their match-up, tracking back to 1998, whilst have never lost at GIO Stadium after wins over the USA (2024) and Fijiana in April.

WALLAROOS TEAM FOR TEST AGAINST SCOTLAND

Friday October 23 at GIO Stadium, Canberra (7:30 pm AEDT)

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

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