Wallaroos begin new chapter with four crucial re-signings

Four key forwards from the Wallaroos’ 2025 Women’s Rugby World Cup campaign have re-signed for the 2026 international season, as the national team prepares to usher in a new era without former coach Jo Yapp.

Michaela Leonard, Kaitlan Leaney, Brianna Hoy and Ashley Fernandez will be available for selection next year after putting pen to paper on one-year national contracts with Rugby Australia, about two months after the Wallaroos’ World Cup campaign.

Australia showed signs of promise throughout the showpiece event, recording a convincing 73-0 win over Samoa before a thrilling draw with the USA. The Wallaroos led eventual World Cup winners England until about the 30^th minute, before losing to Canada in the quarter-finals.

With coach Yapp leaving Rugby Australia to return home to the United Kingdom, this re-signing announcement is significant for the Wallaroos as they prepare to charge towards a Rugby World Cup on home soil in 2029.

Leonard became just the third Wallaroo to reach the 40-Test mark during the World Cup, proving ever reliable in the team’s second row. The former Wallaroos captain formed a formidable lock pairing with Leaney, who took on co-captaincy duties to start the tournament.

Leaney shared leadership duties with openside flanker Emily Chancellor while usual skipper Siokapesi Palu was out injured. At just 24 years of age during the tournament, the lock was among the standouts for the Wallaroos, securing a match-defining turnover in the draw with the USA.

Hoy overcame a serious knee injury to represent Australia at her first World Cup. It was also Fernandez’s first time at the pinnacle tournament, named in the matchday 23 in the first round of pool play against Samoa and the quarter-final defeat to World Cup runners-up Canada.

“After confirming our interim coaching staff through to the end of the Pacific Four series we are now looking to lock in players to national contracts for 2026,” General Manager of Women’s Rugby, Jilly Collins, said in a statement.

“Michaela is one of our most experienced players in the Wallaroos squad with over 40 caps.

“She is one of only four players to reach this mark, consistently demonstrating a high level of performance and professionalism both on and off the field.

“Kaitlan has been one of the squad’s most consistent and reliable performers since her debut in 2022. This strong foundation has seen her rapidly develop into a key leader within the team.

“Brianna made a successful return from a long-term knee injury this year and everyone was delighted to see her make a comeback against Samoa in the opening game of the Rugby World Cup.

“Ash made her Wallaroos debut against Fijiana in May, gaining valuable experience at the top level.

“She continues to develop her game in the lock position and has a bright future ahead.

“We are thrilled that all four have committed their future to the squad by signing new contracts as we commence the new Rugby World Cup cycle.”

Sam Needs has been elevated from assistant coach to interim head coach following Yapp’s departure, with a world-class management group set to take charge of the Wallaroos throughout next year’s Pacific Four Series.

Needs will oversee the attack along with Gill Bourke, who is staying on with the Wallaroos after the World Cup. Andy Friend is a technical advisor, and current NSW Waratahs Women’s head coach Mike Ruthven was recently announced as an interim assistant.

“We are delighted to secure the services of Mike as an assistant coach through to the end of the Pacific Four Series,” Collins explained last week.

“Mike brings a wealth of knowledge and experience to the Wallaroos that will immediately support our existing coaching team.

“His work with many of the Wallaroos through the Waratahs means he’s ready to hit the ground running, making this appointment a great fit for the program.”
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