Two Wallaroos debutants named for blockbuster Red Roses Test

NSW Waratahs winger Amelia Whitaker and Queensland Reds skipper Jemma Bemrose are both set to make their Wallaroos debuts this weekend, having both been named in the matchday 23 to take on England at Salford’s CorpAcq Stadium.

Whitaker was rewarded with Player of the Year honours after a series of standout performances for the Waratahs in Super Rugby Women’s, but the 20-year-old missed the Champions Final clash with the Blues due to injury.

But Whitaker has earned higher honours with the national team, set to wear Wallaroos gold for the first time against the world champion Red Roses in England. The Red Roses are still on a remarkable unbeaten run that dates back to their last defeat in 2022.

Desiree Miller and Caitlyn Halse make up an all-Waratahs back three combination, while club teammates Waiaria Ellis and Georgina Friedrichs will also start. Western Force scrum-half Samantha Wood and ACT Brumbies centre Faitala Moleka are in the run-on side as well.

In the forwards, captain Siokapesi Palu Sekona headlines an exciting loose forwards trio that includes former Black Fern Pia Tapsell at blindside flanker, and Lily Bone from the ACT Brumbies at openside.

Loosehead prop Brianna Hoy joins hooker Brittany Merlo and tighthead Faliki Pohiva up front, while Kaitlan Leaney and Michaela Leonard make up the locking duo. Leonard is the most-capped Wallaroo in history, just three caps shy of the 50-Test marker.

Bemrose is among the forwards named on eh bench, with the Reds skipper joined by the likes of Eva Karpani and Piper Duck as impact players. Waratahs captain Emily Chancellor will also come off the pine.

“We have picked two debutants in Amelia Whitaker and Jemma Bemrose, who both stepped up in Super Rugby this season, consistently doing their roles and earning their Test call up,” Director of Women’s High Performance Tim Walsh said.

“As a team we are investing in the future while focusing on the present. We are looking forward to what the world champion English team will throw at us and we are ready to absorb and return with some interest.”

Wallaroos team to take on Red Roses

1. Brianna Hoy – #203 (NSW Waratahs/Coffs Harbour Snappers) – 14 caps
2. Brittany Merlo – #230 (NSW Waratahs/Sydney University) – 4 caps
3. Faliki Pohiva – #219 (NSW Waratahs/Blacktown Scorpions) – 11 caps
4. Kaitlan Leaney – #179 (NSW Waratahs/SCU Marlins) – 40 caps
5. Michaela Leonard – #168 (Western Force/Tuggeranong Vikings) – 47 caps
6. Pia Tapsell – #236 (Western Force/North Shore Rugby Club) – 1 cap
7. Lily Bone – #229 (ACT Brumbies/Orange City) – 4 caps
8. Siokapesi Palu Sekona (c) – #194 (ACT Brumbies/Rockdale Rangers) – 28 caps
9. Samantha Wood – #207 (Western Force/Kalamunda Rugby) – 16 caps
10. Waiaria Ellis – #225 (NSW Waratahs/Blacktown Scorpions) – 7 caps
11. Desiree Miller – #204 (NSW Waratahs/Eastern Suburbs) – 28 caps
12. Faitala Moleka – #199 (ACT Brumbies/Blacktown Scorpions) – 31 caps
13. Georgina Friedrichs – #178 (NSW Waratahs/Wests Bulldogs) – 42 caps
14. Amelia Whitaker* (NSW Waratahs/Randwick) – uncapped
15. Caitlyn Halse – #210 (NSW Waratahs/Camden Rams) – 15 caps

Reserves

16. Tania Naden – #197 (ACT Brumbies/Uni-North Owls) – 30 caps
17. Allana Sikimeti – #212 (Western Force/Norths Eagles Rugby) – 4 caps
18. Eva Karpani – #171 (Queensland Reds/Southern Suburbs) – 46 caps
19. Jemma Bemrose* (Queensland Reds/Palm Beach Currumbin Alligators) – uncapped
20. Piper Duck – #185 (NSW Waratahs/Tumut Bullettes) – 27 caps
21. Emily Chancellor – #158 (NSW Waratahs/Sydney University) – 38 caps
22. Tia Hinds – #222 (NSW Waratahs/Randwick) – 11 caps
23. Cecilia Smith – #190 (Western Force/Leeton Dianas) – 31 caps

*Uncapped