Former Wallaroos skipper makes timely return ahead of World Cup

Former Wallaroos captain Piper Duck will wear a gold jersey this weekend, named to start for Australia A against Samoa at Canberra’s Viking Park, with NSW Waratahs skipper Emily Chancellor set to lead the team into battle.

With the Women’s Rugby World Cup in England just around the corner, this is a timely return to the field for Duck, who hasn’t played for the Wallaroos since July last year due to injury. Duck will start at No. 8, with Chancellor named at openside flanker.

Ducks joins Annabelle Codey, Sally Fuesaina, Arabella McKenzie, Alapeta Ngauamo and Samantha Wood who are in line for their first international of 2025. McKenzie will start at inside centre, with HSBC SVNS Series star Tia Hinds picked by coach Sam Needs at fly-half.

Jean-Luc Du Preez on return to Springboks and facing Shannon Frizell

Jean-Luc Du Preez on return to Springboks and facing Shannon Frizell

Queenslanders Caitlin Urwin and Piper Flynn have been named on the wings, while Brumbies representative Lily Bone and Waratahs hooker Brittany Merlo have also been included. Three-time Olympian Charlotte Caslick has been named on the extended bench.

“Last year’s fixture in Apia was highly competitive and we’re expecting the same again on Saturday,” coach Needs said in a statement.

“The match is a great opportunity for players to get more game time and for the coaches to start finalising their squad leading into the New Zealand Test match and Wales series.”

This looms as a significant match for individuals look to stake their claim for selection ahead of the World Cup, with the Wallaroos set to take on Samoa’s Manusina during pool play at the showpiece event in England.

Lydia Kavoa joins Adiana Talakai and Faliki Pohiva in the Australia A front row, while Ashley Fernandez and Tiarah Minns round out the tight five as the two locks. Youngster Ruby Anderson starts at blindside flanker, joining Chancellor and Duck in the loose forwards.

In the backs, Natalie Wright from the Queensland Reds will link up with Hinds in the halves. McKenzie starts at 12, with Manu’a Moleka named at outside centre – the younger sister of Wallaroos fly-half Faitala Moleka.

Urwin and Flynn are the wingers, with Australia A vice-captain Lori Cramer named at fullback. Bree-Anna Browne, Tabua Tuinakauvadra and Caslick are among those named on the extended bench by coach Needs.

This match at Canberra’s Viking Park will get underway at 11:30am AEST on Saturday.

Australia A to take on Samoa

1. Lydia Kavoa (ACT Brumbies/Eastern Suburbs)
2. Adiana Talakai (NSW Waratahs/Sydney University)
3. Faliki Pohiva (NSW Waratahs/Blacktown Scorpions)
4. Ashley Fernandez (ACT Brumbies/Uni-North Owls)
5. Tiarah Minns (Queensland Reds/Melbourne University)
6. Ruby Anderson (NSW Waratahs/Avoca Beach Rugby)
7. Emily Chancellor (c) (NSW Waratahs/Sydney University)
8. Piper Duck (NSW Waratahs/Tumut Bullettes)
9. Natalie Wright (Queensland Reds/Wests Bulldogs)
10. Tia Hinds (ACT Brumbies/Randwick)
11. Caitlin Urwin (Queensland Reds/Gympie Rugby)
12. Arabella McKenzie (NSW Waratahs/Lightning Ridge Tigers)
13. Manu’a Moleka (ACT Brumbies/Manly Mermaids)
14. Piper Flynn (Queensland Reds/Surfers Paradise Rugby)
15. Lori Cramer (vc) (Queensland Reds/University of Queensland)

16. Brittany Merlo (NSW Waratahs/Sydney University)
17. Sally Fuesaina (ACT Brumbies/Campbelltown Harlequins)
18. Bree-Anna Browne (Queensland Reds/Brothers Rugby)
19. Alapeta Ngauamo (Western Force/Wests Bulldogs)
20. Annabelle Codey (NSW Waratahs/Easts Brisbane)
21. Lily Bone (ACT Brumbies/Orange City)
22. Tabua Tuinakauvadra (ACT Brumbies/Orange Emus)
23. Samantha Wood (Western Force/Kalamunda Rugby)
24. Charlotte Caslick (Queensland Reds/Wests Bulldogs)
25. Waiaria Ellis (NSW Waratahs/Blacktown Scorpions)