Exclusive Wallaroos club set to welcome new member against Scotland

Eva Karpani is set to join Michaela Leonard in an incredibly exclusive Wallaroos club this week, with the veteran front-rower set to bring up 50 Test caps. Karpani will again provide impact off the bench when Australia faces Scotland on Friday evening.

Karpani debuted in Wallaroos gold against Japan in 2019 and has been a matchday regular for the national team ever since. The tighthead prop is the third-top try-scorer in Wallaroos history, with outside backs Deisree Miller and Maya Stewart ahead on that list.

The Wallaroos are looking to end their WXV Global Series campaign with a third consecutive win against Scotland, following a 30-19 hit-out in Edinburgh last month and a clinical 56-12 victory at Sydney’s Accor Stadium on Saturday.

Amela Whitaker was awarded Player of the Match honours after that Test, and the four-Test flyer has been retained on one wing. Stewart holds onto the starting spot on the other edge, but the Wallaroos will be without prolific try-scorer Miller.

Miller has been ruled out of the season finale with a calf injury, which has prompted a reshuffle of the backline. Faitala Moleka moves from the midfield to fullback, with 33-Test Wallaroo Cecilia Smith brought into the run-on side at inside centre.

“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.”

Allana Sikimeti joins Tania Naden and Faliki Pohiva up front, while Britanny Merlo and Brianna Hoy join Karpani on the bench. Kaitlan Leaney will pack down alongside Queensland Reds lock Tiarah Minns in the second row, with Leonard named in the replacements.

Emily Chancellor will play her 42^nd and final Test for the Wallaroos after being named in the run-on side at openside flanker. The former Wallaroos captain joins current skipper Siokapesi Palu Sekona and Piper Duck in an experienced loose forwards trio.

Samantha Wood and Waiaria Ellis will link up in the halves, with Smith and Georginia Friedrichs lining up in the centres. Whitaker and Stewart are on the wings, with Moleka rounding out the starting XV at fullback.

Wallaroos team to take on Scotland in Canberra

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

Replacements

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