‘Scores more tries’ than backs: Wallaroos prop set to make more history

Wallaroos skipper Siokapesi Palu Sekona wore a commemorative t-shirt to a press conference on Thursday afternoon, proudly celebrating the incredible milestone Eva Karpani will reach this week against Scottland.

Karpani is just a day away from her 50^th appearance in Wallaroos gold, set to join a club that only includes one other member. Michaela Leonard became the first Australian woman to bring up a half-century of appearances when the Wallaroos played Scotland late last month

The tighthead prop, who is the third-top try-scorer in Wallaroos history, will provide impact off the bench against Scotland in Canberra. Australia are chasing a third consecutive win over the Scots, in what will be their final Test of the WXV Global Series.

Karpani debuted for the Wallaroos seven years ago and quickly emerged as an important member of the matchday 23. The front-rower has represented Australia at two Rugby World Cups, which included last year’s record-breaking event in England.

Outside backs Desiree Miller and Maya Stewart are top two on the Wallaroos’ all-time try-scoring charts, but Karpani isn’t far off in third. The replacement prop crossed for a 79th-minute try as the Aussies defeated Scotland last weekend at Sydney’s Accor Stadium.

“It’s super exciting. Everyone’s just keen to get around and celebrate things like that. The second Wallaroo ever in history to reach that is super cool,” Palu Sekona told reporters.

“Like Mac, she’s been also a very consistent piece throughout the Wallaroos. She scores more tries these bloody backs so she will definitely get a lot of praise form that already.

“It’s really exciting and it’s the last Test match and everyone just wants to put in a performance to be proud of.”

Karpani brings up 50 Test caps in what is shaping up as the end of an era for the Wallaroos, with two experienced players set to farewell the program. The Wallaroos announced this week that Emily Chancellor and Cecilia Smith both planned on hanging up the Test rugby boots.

Chancellor is a former captain for the Wallaroos and has been selected to compete at two Rugby World Cups. Smith also went to the events in New Zealand and England, earning Player of the Match honours after a record 73-0 win over Samoa last year.

“They bring so much to the game,” Palu Sekona said.

“[Smith] and [Chancellor] have had so much to do for this game, and not even just as Wallaroos but domestically throughout Australia,” the Wallaroos captain said.

“We just want to put on a performance that they’ll be proud of and that we’ll be proud of.”

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