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‘Wanted to keep playing’: SVNS star Maddison Levi on Wallaroos debut
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Minns and Ellis return as Wallaroos name side for Pacific Four opener
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Interim coach Sam Needs has made two personnel changes to the Wallaroos side that beat Fijiana 33-15 in Canberra last month, with Tiarah Minns and Waiaria coming into the 23 to face world no. 2 Canada in Sacramento.
Ellis debuted for the Wallaroos last year and was selected in the squad for the Women’s Rugby World Cup in England, but the teenager didn’t take the field at the showpiece event, with Desiree Miller and Maya Stewart starting every match on the wings.
Miller and Stewart will again feature in the First XV for the national team, but Ellis has a chance to make an impact off the bench against one of the world’s best. Canada finished second at the World Cup, losing to England in front of a record crowd at Twickenham’s Allianz Stadium.
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The Wallaroos have been boosted by the inclusion of Minns in the run-on side, who is set to pack down alongside 43-Test veteran Michalea Leonard. Leonard returns to the First XV after coming off the bench against Fiji.
Georgia Friedrichs and Desiree Milelr are set for their first starts of the season as well, with the pair celebrating milestones to kick off the Pacific Four Series. Friedrichs will become the latest Wallaroo to play 40 Tests, set to start at outside centre.
Miller spoke with reporters this week ahead of her 25th Test, with captain Siokapesi Paku Sekona reaching that milestone this weekend as well. There are a dozen players in this matchday squad who have played at least 20 matches at Test level.
“We’ve settled into the US and have trained really well with a healthy squad to choose from,” coach Needs said.
“There’s been intense competition for spots that’s only bringing the best out in players.
“Canada are a great side but for us this week it’s about sticking to our processes and building upon the win against Fijiana.
“It’s great for Tiarah Minns and Waiaria Ellis to each get another opportunity with the side and we’re all excited to play well on Saturday.”
Bianna Hoy has been named to start at loosehead prop, packing down alongside Adiana Talakai and tighthead prop Bridie O’Gorman. Leonard and Minns round out the tight five as the two locks, while Ashley Fernandez will provide cover off the bench.
Captain Sekona starts at No. 8, with Kaitlan Leaney shifting from the second row to blindside flanker. Emily Chancellor retains the starting role at openside, with tackle-machine Piper Duck named in the reserves.
Samantha Wood will link up with one-Test fly-half Nicole Ledington in the halves, who enjoyed a try-scoring debut for the Wallaroos against Fiji. Sidney Taylor shifts from outside centre to inside, accommodating for the inclusion of Friedrichs in the midfield.
Miller and Stewart line up on the wings, while playmaker Faitala Moleka rounds out the starting side at fullback. The Wallaroos have gone with a 6-2 split, with Ellis and Cecilia Smith providing cover for the backs.
This match at Sacramento’s Heart Health Park will kick off at 12:00 pm AEST on Sunday.
Wallaroos to take on Canada
1. Brianna Hoy (#203 – NSW Waratahs/Coffs Harbour Snappers) – 10 caps
2. Adiana Talakai (#182 – NSW Waratahs/Sydney University) – 22 caps
3. Bridie O’Gorman (#180 – NSW Waratahs/Sydney University) – 38 caps
4. Michaela Leonard (#168 – Western Force/Tuggeranong Vikings) – 43 caps
5. Tiarah Minns (#217 – Queensland Reds/Melbourne University) – 3 caps
6. Kaitlan Leaney (#179 – NSW Waratahs/SCU Marlins) – 36 caps
7. Emily Chancellor (#158 – NSW Waratahs/Sydney University) – 35 caps
8. Siokapesi Palu Sekona (c) (#194 – ACT Brumbies/Rockdale Rangers) – 24 caps
9. Samantha Wood (#207 – Western Force/Kalamunda Rugby Club) – 12 caps
10. Nicole Ledington (#226 – Western Force/Kalamunda Rugby Club) – 1 cap
11. Desiree Miller (#204 – NSW Waratahs/Eastern Suburbs) – 24 caps
12. Sidney Taylor (#227 – Queensland Reds/Wests Bulldogs) – 1 cap
13. Georgina Friedrichs (#178 – NSW Waratahs/Wests Bulldogs) – 39 caps
14. Maya Stewart (#196 – NSW Waratahs/Nelson Bay Gropers) – 23 caps
15. Faitala Moleka (#199 – ACT Brumbies/Blacktown Scorpions) – 27 cap
Reserves
16. Brittany Merlo (#230 – NSW Waratahs/Sydney University) – 1 cap
17. Faliki Pohiva (#219 – NSW Waratahs/Blacktown Scorpions) – 8 caps
18. Eva Karpani (#171 – Queensland Reds/Southern Suburbs) – 42 caps
19. Ashley Fernandez (#221 – ACT Brumbies/Uni-North Owls) – 7 caps
20. Lily Bone (#229 – ACT Brumbies/Orange City) – 1 cap
21. Piper Duck (#185 – NSW Waratahs/Tumut Bullettes) – 23 caps
22. Waiaria Ellis (#225 – NSW Waratahs/Blacktown Scorpions) – 3 caps
23. Cecilia Smith (#190 – Western Force/Leeton Dianas) – 29 caps
