1
{{item.n}}
Wallaroos stars headline strong Waratahs side for Drua trial
Comment
Share 
Five current Wallaroos have been named in the NSW Waratahs starting side for the team’s first trial ahead of the 2026 Super Rugby Women’s season, taking on the Fijian Drua at Suva’s HFC Bank Stadium on Saturday afternoon.
Waratahs captain Emily Chancellor headlines the handful of internationally capped Australians in the run-on side. Biranna Hoy and Kaitlan Leaney are the others in the forwards, while Piper Simons and Desiree Miller have been selected in the backline.
This marks Simons’ first appearance for New South Wales at senior 15s level. The scrum-half is a product of the Next Gen 7s pathway and the Australia Sevens program, debuting for the Wallaroos against Fijiana in March.
VIDEO
Simons will link up with Plenui Klevit in the halves, while Rosie Ferguson combines with Lusiana Vesikula in the midfield. Waratahs vice-captain Miller starts on one wing, with Milly Whitaker on the other and Paris Ingegneri at fullback.
In the forwards, captain Chancellor joins capped-Wallaroo Ruby Anderson in the loose forwards. Those two will pack down on the flanks, with Nicole Nathan rounding out the backrow as the starting No. 8.
Leaney and Tahlia Morgan are the two locks, joined in the tight five by an exciting front row trio. Hoy starts at loosehead, Siusiuosalafai Volkman has been named at hooker, and Seneti Kilisimasi lines up at tighthead.
“We are really excited to announce our first Match Day squad for our first trial against the Fijian Drua,“ coach Mike Ruthven said.
“It presents an exciting opportunity for the 23 players named to get some quality rugby under their belt. It’s a great balance of experience and youth in our squad.
“The Drua will present a really physical challenge, which will be perfect for us as we continue preparing for the season.”
NSW Waratahs to take on Fijiana Drua
- Brianna Hoy
- Siusiuosalafai Volkman
- Seneti Kilisimasi
- Kaitlan Leaney (vc)
- Tahlia Morgan
- Ruby Anderson
- Emily Chancellor (c)
- Nicole Nathan
- Piper Simons
- Pleuni Klevit
- Desiree Miller (vc)
- Rosie Ferguson
- Lusiana Vesikula
- Milly Whitaker
- Paris Ingegneri
Replacements:
16. Adiana Talakai
17. Emily Robinson
18. Bridie O’Gorman
19. Grace Gillies
20. Brittany Merlo
21. Taj Heald
22. Edie Burke
23. Martha Harvey
Your home for rugby. Download the RugbyPass app on the App Store (iOS) and Google Play (Android) now!
Follow your favourite teams, tournaments and players, and get personalised news and Match Centre notifications direct to your device.
From live rugby streams and upcoming fixtures to breaking news, in-depth analysis and live scores, RugbyPass has everything you need to stay connected to the game.
