Rugby Australia is pleased to announce a 35-player squad for the inaugural Australia U21 NextGen side to play New Zealand U21 at One New Zealand Stadium in Christchurch on October 31.
The match is the first national women’s age grade fixture between the two nations and will take place as part of a double header Test with the Black Ferns and France.
Australia coach Iliseva Batibasaga has named eight current Wallaroos in the squad including halves Waiaria Ellis, Faitala Moleka and Piper Simons, centre Ava Wereta, winger Amelia Whitaker and forwards Lily Bone and Ruby Anderson.
The Super Rugby Women’s club breakdown includes 14 players from the NSW Waratahs, eight from Queensland Reds, seven from Western Force and six from ACT Brumbies.
A travelling matchday 23 will be announced on 29 October.
Australia NextGen U21 coach Iliseva Batibasaga said: “This is a significant opportunity for women’s rugby in both countries.
“The world knows our great rivalry with New Zealand, where it can be fierce and friendly all at once, so creating this pathway and having our young players experience an international tour and a Test environment is incredibly valuable.
“Having a mix of youth and experience is really important to us and creating an empowering environment that’s supportive and competitive.
“There is some exciting talent coming through who can soak up the occasion, learn from more experienced players and make their mark on the international arena.
“Rugby Union has played a massive part in my life so to be a part of the inaugural Australian NextGen U21s coaching group alongside Shannon and Alapeta is pretty special.”
With the support of the Australian Rugby Foundation through the generosity of donors, the inaugural NextGen XVs program debuted at both under 16 and under 19 levels throughout September and October.
Through extended donor support, this historic upcoming fixture will now be made a reality.
Eight players signed to Rugby Australia on youth retention contracts in August help make up the U21 squad including Queenslanders Tiki Caliste, Indya McWilliam and Ruby Rossiter.
Australia NextGen XVs Under 21 squad
- Ruby Anderson (NSW Waratahs)
- Armani Bentley (NSW Waratahs)
- Lily Bone (ACT Brumbies)
- Tiki Calliste (Queensland Reds)
- Jayda Chung (NSW Waratahs)
- Anaia Cruickshank (NSW Waratahs)
- Waiaria Ellis (NSW Waratahs)
- Fa'alagilagi Faimasui Brown (NSW Waratahs)
- Lily Gillett (NSW Waratahs)
- Lola Harvison (NSW Waratahs)
- Georgie Hayes (ACT Brumbies)
- Talitha Heta (Western Force)
- Bella Houghton (Western Force)
- Angela Littler (NSW Waratahs)
- Sonrae Lui (ACT Brumbies)
- Keira MacAskill (Western Force)
- Indya McWilliam (Queensland Reds)
- Faitala Moleka (ACT Brumbies)
- Kuini Nama (Western Force)
- Millie Parker (ACT Brumbies)
- Madison Pomerenke (Queensland Reds)
- Ruby Rossiter (Queensland Reds)
- Evie Sampson (Queensland Reds)
- Allana Sikimeti (Western Force)
- Piper Simons (NSW Waratahs)
- Maronay Smuts (ACT Brumbies)
- Sofaia Talemaira (Western Force)
- Terina Te Tana (Western Force)
- Fa'agase Tupuola-Palale (Queensland Reds)
- Kiana Vatubua (NSW Waratahs)
- Lusiana Vesikula (NSW Waratahs)
- Ava Wereta (Queensland Reds)
- Amelia Whitaker (NSW Waratahs)
- Charity Wightman-Beavan (Queensland Reds)
- Sophia Wilson (NSW Waratahs)
