1
{{item.n}}
Wallaroos start World Cup cycle with 10 new faces in rejuvenated squad
By Ned Lester
The first Wallaroos squad of 2026 is here, and interim head coach Sam Needs has backed the next generation of talent, with 10 of the 30-strong squad yet to be capped.
The squad will assemble ahead of the March 27th Vuvale Bowl contest against Fiji, and April’s Pacific Four Series, which will see the Australians tour America for the first time.
While there are 10 newcomers, 19 of the selected squad return from last year’s Rugby World Cup campaign, in which the team were knocked out by eventual finalists Canada in the quarter finals.
VIDEO
There’s plenty of firepower coming through the ranks Down Under, and Nicole Ledington, Brooklyn Teki-Joyce, Ella Ryan and Ava Wereta have been rewarded for their respective form with first Wallaroos selections, while Australian Sevens stars Piper Simons and Sidney Taylor also feature in the squadlist.
The injury to Katalina Amosa at last month’s training camp has opened the door for 28-year-old Brittany Merlo’s first Wallaroos selection, while Amelia Whitaker has been named as injury cover for the upcoming Tests. Tabua Tuinakauvadra, reigning Wallaroos Player of the Year, joins Amosa on an eight-woman injury list.
The other stars of the 2025 campaign, such as Desiree Miller, Maya Stewart, and captain Siokapesi Palu Sekona, are all fit and healthy and have been selected for the squad.
In the forwards, Dillyn Blackburn, Zoe Elliott and Lily Bone lead the way as new additions to add youthful energy to the pack. Emily Chancellor, Michaela Leonard and Kaitlan Leaney are also on hand as experienced hands in the engine room.
“The squad selected has a great mix of youth and experience, with 10 new faces who have been competing hard and could potentially make their debuts over the next month,” Interim head coach Needs said.
“We’ve had three four-day camps since the World Cup, and each camp has been highly competitive, and we want to take that momentum through to our first Test against Fijiana and then carry on into the Pacific Four series.
“It’s unfortunate that we’ve lost a few players to injury in the pre-season, but we are excited by the opportunities it creates for other players to step up which is important for us to keep building depth in the lead up to the 2029 World Cup.”
Wallaroos squad
Dillyn Blackburn (Queensland Reds/Gympie Hammers)*
Lily Bone (ACT Brumbies/Orange City)*
Emily Chancellor (NSW Waratahs/Sydney University)
Piper Duck (NSW Waratahs/Tumut Bullettes)
Zoe Elliott (Western Force/Cottesloe Rugby)*
Waiaria Ellis (NSW Waratahs/Blacktown Scorpions)
Ashley Fernandez (ACT Brumbies/Uni-North Owls)
Georgina Friedrichs (NSW Waratahs/Wests Bulldogs)
Brianna Hoy (NSW Waratahs/Coffs Harbour Snappers)
Eva Karpani (Queensland Reds/Southern Suburbs)
Kaitlan Leaney (NSW Waratahs/SCU Marlins)
Nicole Ledington (Western Force/Kalamunda Rugby Club)*
Michaela Leonard (Western Force/Tuggeranong Vikings)
Brittany Merlo (NSW Waratahs/Sydney University)*
Desiree Miller (NSW Waratahs/Eastern Suburbs)
Tiarah Minns (Queensland Reds/Melbourne University)
Faitala Moleka (ACT Brumbies/Blacktown Scorpions)
Tania Naden (ACT Brumbies/Uni-North Owls)
Bridie O’Gorman (NSW Waratahs/Sydney University)
Siokapesi Palu Sekona (ACT Brumbies/Rockdale Rangers)
Faliki Pohiva (NSW Waratahs/Blacktown Scorpions)
Ella Ryan (ACT Brumbies/Canberra Royals)*
Piper Simons (NSW Waratahs/Manly Mermaids)*
Cecilia Smith (Western Force/Leeton Dianas)
Maya Stewart (NSW Waratahs/Nelson Bay Gropers)
Adiana Talakai (NSW Waratahs/Maroubra Magic)
Sidney Taylor (Queensland Reds/University of Queensland)*
Brooklyn Teki-Joyce (Western Force/Southern Lions)*
Ava Wereta (Queensland Reds/Coomera Crushers)*
Samantha Wood (Western Force/Kalamunda Rugby Club)
*Denotes uncapped player
Injury cover
Amelia Whitaker (NSW Waratahs/Randwick)*
Injury list
Katalina Amosa (knee)
Biola Dawa (personal reasons)
Chioma Enyi (ankle)
Grace Freeman (hip)
Atasi Lafai (knee)
Manu’a Moleka (knee)
Allana Sikimeti (calf)
Tabua Tuinakauvadra (knee)
Watch all the upcoming SVNS action for FREE on RPTV!
*Available live in select territories
