Two-time defending champs Waratahs unveil stacked squad for 2026

Two-time defending champions the NSW Waratahs have named a 31-player squad that boasts more than 375 Super Rugby Women’s caps between them, with two dozen players backing up after last season’s title-winning run.

The Waratahs claimed their sixth Super Rugby Women’s title with a clinical 43-21 win over arch-rivals the Queensland Reds at North Sydney Oval. Then-Wallaroos coach Jo Yapp presented star winger Desiree Miller with Player of the Final honours before the trophy lift.

Miller scored one of New South Wales’ six tries, setting the tone before a seismic international season with the Wallaroos. The outside back featured in every Wallaroos match at the Women’s Rugby World Cup in England, scoring one try in the quarter-final defeat to Canada.

The 23-year-old will wear cambridge blue during the upcoming 2026 season, returning to Super Rugby after four Wallaroos Tests already this year. 12 players involved in recent Wallaroos Tests have been named in this star-studded Waratahs squad.

Brianna Hoy, Bridie O’Gorman, Faliki Pohiva, Adiana Talakai, Brittany Merlo, Kaitlan Leaney, Emily Chancellor, Piper Duck, Waiaria Ellis, Georgina Friedrichs, Maya Stewart and Miller featured in the squad for a clash with Fiji and three Pacific Four Series matches.

“The coaching group are really excited with the make-up of the Waratahs squad for 2026,” coach Mike Ruthven said.

“Retention was again a priority for building out our squad for this season and we are pleased that so many of our players continue to show trust in the Waratahs program.

“On top of this, there are some really talented players who join the squad that will ensure strong competition for places.

“We’re looking forward to our Wallaroos joining the group next week and adding value to the outstanding work that the remainder of the squad have been doing over the last six weeks.”

Emily Robinson is the most-capped player in the squad with 40 appearances, having debuted against the Queensland Reds in the inaugural Super Rugby Women’s season. Miller (19 caps) and Stewart (30 caps) are another two experienced players.

Six uncapped prospects could make their Waratahs debuts this season, including Grace Gillies and Taj Heald in the forwards. Edie Burke, Paris Ingegneri, Pleuni Kievit, Makenzi Nelson and Lusiana Vesikula are the potential debutants in the backs.

The Tahs start yet another title defence against the Fijian Drua at Leichhardt Oval on Saturday, June 6. They will return to the Sydney venue for their final round-robin match against the Reds, before potentially playing finals football.

NSW Waratahs squad for 2026 Super Rugby Women’s

Forwards (position, number of Super Rugby Women’s caps, club):

Ruby Anderson (back-row, 8, Hunter Wildfires)
Emily Chancellor (back-row, 27, Sydney University)
Annabelle Codey (lock, 12, Easts)
Piper Duck (back-row, 24, Sydney University)
Grace Gillies (lock/back-row, uncapped, Warringah)
Taj Heald (back-row, uncapped, Warringah)
Brianna Hoy (prop, 15, Sydney University)
Seneti Kilisimasi (prop, 5, Manly)
Kaitlan Leaney (lock, 23, Easts)
Brittany Merlo (hooker, 13, Sydney University)
Tahlia Morgan (lock, 2, St Albert’s College)
Leilani Nathan (back-row, 18, Warringah)
Nicole Nathan (back-row, 13, Warringah)
Bridie O’Gorman (prop, 34, Sydney University)
Faliki Pohiva (prop, 13, Manly)
Emily Robinson (prop, 40, Warringah)
Adiana Talakai (hooker, 20, Sydney University)
Siusiuosalafai (Nancy) Volkman (prop, 9, Manly)

Backs

Edie Burke (scrum-half, uncapped, Gordon)
Waiaria Ellis (fly-half, 14, Manly)
Rosie Ferguson (centre, 1, Easts)
Georgina Friedrichs (centre, 31, Easts)
Caitlyn Halse (full-back, 16, Easts)
Martha Harvey (scrum-half, 4, Easts)
Tia Hinds (fly-half, TBC)
Paris Ingegneri (scrum-half, uncapped, Warringah)
Pleuni Keivit (centre, uncapped, TBC)
Desiree Miller (wing, 19, Easts)
Makenzi Nelson (wing, uncapped, Hunter Wildfires)
Maya Stewart (wing, 30, Easts)
Lusiana Vesikula (centre, uncapped, Southern Districts)
Amelia Whitaker (wing, 4, Randwick)