Wallaroos Player of the Year to co-captain Australia U21 in historic clash

Wallaroos Player of the Year Faitala Moleka will co-captain an experienced Australia U21 NextGen side to take on New Zealand U21, with eight capped Australian internationals set to feature in the historic fixture at One New Zealand Stadium.

Moleka was crowned the Wallaroos’ best at the Rugby Australia Awards on Thursday evening, but the Australia U21 NextGen side is already across the ditch in New Zealand. The 21-year-old sent a video message in, accepting the award and congratulating the other nominees.

Waiaria Ellis and Amelia Whitaker did the same earlier in the evening, as they were named Junior Women’s Player of the Year and the Santos Women’s Rookie of the Year, respectively. Wallaroos captain Siokapesi Palu Sekona received two awards too.

Moleka, Ellis and Whitaker all finished the Wallaroos season in the starting side, with the trio all making their mark during a three-Test series against Scotland. Moleka shifted from the midfield to fullback for the season finale, and continued to impress in that role.

Australia U21 NextGen Head Coach Iliseva Batibasaga has selected Moleka at fullback, joining Whitaker and Lily Gillett in the back three. Ava Wereta and Lusiana Vesikula make up the centres, while Piper Simons joins NSW Waratahs teammate Ellis in the halves.

Ruby Anderson will share the leadership duties from blindside flanker, who is one of three capped Wallaroos in the pack. Allana Sikimeti has been named at tighthead prop, and Lily Bone joins Anderson in the loose forwards.

Loosehead prop Fa’alagilagi Faimasui, hooker Miller Parker, locks Lola Harvison and Indya McWilliam and No. 8 Sophia Wilson have also been chosen in the starting XV. There are three ACT Brumbies players on the bench, which is the most of any Super Rugby club.

“We’re excited to be in Christchurch and get a couple of sessions under our belt before Saturday,” Batibasaga said.

“I’m pleased with the mix of experience and new talent in our match day squad and having the Wallaroos finish their season with a win I’ll be looking to those girls to lead and empower their peers around the park.

“Similarly, I’m keen to watch our new talent make their mark in an international arena.”

This Australia U21 side trained in Christchurch on Thursday morning, and will have another session on Friday, ahead of the match. The game will get underway at the Christchurch venue at 2:30 pm AEDT on Saturday afternoon.

Australia U21 NextGen to take on New Zealand U21

1. Fa’alagilagi Faimasui Brown (NSW Waratahs/Hunter Wildfires)
2. Millie Parker (ACT Brumbies/Avoca Beach Rugby)
3. Allana Sikimeti (Western Force/Norths Eagles)
4. Lola Harvison (NSW Waratahs/Lindfield Rugby)
5. Indya McWilliam (Queensland Reds/Coomera Crushers)
6. Ruby Anderson (c) (NSW Waratahs/Avoca Beach Rugby)
7. Lily Bone (ACT Brumbies/Orange City)
8. Sophia Wilson (NSW Waratahs/Randwick Rugby)
9. Piper Simons (NSW Waratahs/Gordon Rugby)
10. Waiaria Ellis (NSW Waratahs/Blacktown Scorpions)
11. Lily Gillett (NSW Waratahs/Warringah Rats)
12. Ava Wereta (Queensland Reds/Coomera Crushers)
13. Lusiana Vesikula (NSW Waratahs/Oatley Rugby)
14. Amelia Whitaker (NSW Waratahs/Randwick Rugby)
15. Faitala Moleka (c) (ACT Brumbies/Blacktown Scorpions)

Replacements

16. Siusiuosalafai Volkman (NSW Waratahs/Sydney University)
17. Keira MacAskill (Western Force/Wests Scarborough)
18. Angela Littler (NSW Waratahs/Mudgee Wombats)
19. Sofaia Talemaira (Western Force/Wanneroo Rugby Club)
20. Fa’agase Tupuola-Palale (Queensland Reds/Bond Pirates)
21. Maronay Smuts (ACT Brumbies/Uni-North Owls)
22. Georgie Hayes (ACT Brumbies/Wagga Crows)
23. Sonrae Lui (ACT Brumbies/Canberra Royals)