Rugby Australia outlines Wallaroos program ahead of home World Cup

Rugby Australia will continue to invest in a world-class program for the Wallaroos ahead of the 2029 Women’s Rugby World Cup on home soil, which includes a fully-resourced program in 2026 and a minimum of 10 Test matches per year.

After more than doubling its investment into the women’s game during the last World Cup cycle, Rugby Australia outlined on Saturday its commitment to growing the women’s game, less than two weeks after the 2025 Women’s Rugby World Cup final in London.

Australia played seven Tests in 2025 before flying to England, leading multiple players to speak about the importance of those lead-in matches throughout the World Cup, with the Wallaroos reaching the quarter-finals in Bristol.

The Wallaroos will play at least 10 Tests per year moving forward, including matches against some of the world’s best in the Pacific Four Series and the all-new WXV Global Series, which World Rugby announced during the World Cup.

RA has confirmed the Wallaroos’ schedule for 2026 includes tours of the USA and Europe.

With former head coach Jo Yapp leaving the Wallaroos, Sam Needs will step into the role as interim head coach. Needs joins Gill Bourke as interim assistant coach and Andy Friend as interim technical advisor through to the end of Pac Four.

Player contracting for 2026 will begin following the conclusion of the 2025 World Cup. These contracts are in addition to the 21 athletes centrally contracted with the Australia Women’s Sevens program.

“Rugby Australia is excited to continue the elite Wallaroos program as we start our journey towards a once-in-a-generation opportunity at the 2029 Women’s Rugby World Cup in Australia,” Rugby Australia CEO Phil Waugh said in a statement.

“The Wallaroos have advanced to the quarter-finals of the last two Rugby World Cups and work has commenced to devise a High Performance program best placed to take our national team to the next level when the world’s best teams arrive on our shores in 2029.

“Whilst we finalise our national women’s rugby delivery model, we are delighted that Sam, Andy and Gill will lead the team forward through the Pacific Four Series in 2026.

“The appointment of the Wallaroos interim coaching panel and the opening of player contracting will ensure continuity and high standards as we enter a new Rugby World Cup cycle.

“RA would also like to take the opportunity to acknowledge Jaime Fernandez, who has stepped down as Women’s High Performance Manager after two years in the role. We thank Jaime for his hard work and wish him all the best for the future.”

Needs has served as an assistant coach of the Wallaroos since 2024, playing a key role in the team’s preparation and performance at the 2025 World Cup. The new interim head coach succeeds Jo Yapp, who has returned home to the United Kingdom.

Friend joins the coaching staff, having held senior roles at international and provincial levels in both women’s and men’s programs. Bourke rounds out the interim coaching staff, taking charge of the breakdown and defence responsibilities.

“I’m honoured to lead the Wallaroos for this period and look forward to continuing to build off the back of the Rugby World Cup,” Needs explained.

“The talent we have in the squad is exciting, and the depth we’ve built this year has put us in a great position heading into 2026.

“I’d like to thank Jilly Collins, Peter Horne and Phil Waugh for the opportunity and acknowledge Jo Yapp and Jaime Fernandez for their leadership, guidance and support over the past two years.”