Returning stars and changes to the starting front row and centre combinations are the talking points among the first Wallaroo team of the July tests - but the big news is the debut of Waiaria Ellis in the starting side.
Ellis will become Wallaroo #225 and the eighth player to debut this year, as head coach Jo Yapp continues the side's growth and make her final changes ahead of the Rugby World Cup next month.
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The 17-year-old Ellis has been knocking on the door of the Wallaroos for the last twelve months, featuring in both Australia A fixtures - including their recent 50-22 defeat of Manusina in Canberra back in June.
At 17 years and 304 days, Ellis falls short of the previous record set by Wallaroos teammate Caitlyn Halse (17 years and 242 days) last year but along with Ruby Anderson, the youngest-ever trio have all debuted in the past 12 months under Yapp.
She will partner with Faitala Moleka and Desiree Miller in the back three, with Tia Hinds returning to the flyhalf position after her promising performance against the Black Ferns in Newcastle.
Yapp has wisely chosen to pick and stick with the engine room, with Kaitlan Leaney and Michaela Leonard retaining their spots in the locks, while Ashley Marsters, Tabua Tuinakauvadra and skipper Siokapesi Palu continue their combination in the loose forwards.
Bridie O’Gorman will also retain her spot from the side that faced Canada, but she will be joined by the barnstorming Faliki Pohiva and hooker Tania Naden in a new look front row.
Georgina Friedrichs will miss out this clash with her running mate Cecilia Smith on the bench, as Yapp looks to pair the experienced head of Trilleen Pomare at inside centre with super star Charlotte Caslick moving to outside centre after her promising showing against Canada.
Lastly, Yapp has opted for a new look bench in several key positions, with Samantha Wood and Piper Duck rewarded for their Australia A form to be included on the bench, ending long injury stints between caps.
Lydia Kavoa is also back after missing the last leg of the Pacific Four Series with a calf injury, while Annabelle Codey is set to end her 600+ day drought between caps coming off the bench.
Yapp has opted to also balance the returns with established heads on the bench - with Adiana Talakai and Eva Karpani serving as effective front row finishers, with Emily Chancellor and Smith completing the side.
"We’re all really pleased for Waiaria, she has been involved in our camps for a while now and came out to WXV in South Africa last year," Yapp said.
"She has an excellent skillset and her youthfulness has a great effect on the playing group. We are confident in her ability to take the next step at this level.
"We also welcome back Piper Duck, Lydia Kavoa, Sammy Wood and Annabelle Codey, who are all great inclusions for us at this time of the year.
"Our World Cup preparations are well and truly underway and we have been really impressed with how the players are stepping up at training."
1. Faliki Pohiva (#219 - Blacktown Scorpions) – 2 caps
2. Tania Naden (#197 - Uni-North Owls) – 22 caps
3. Bridie O’Gorman (#180 - Sydney University) – 30 caps
4. Kaitlan Leaney (#179 - CSU Marlins) – 28 caps
5. Michaela Leonard (#168 - Tuggeranong Vikings) – 36 caps
6. Siokapesi Palu (c) (#194 - Rockdale Rangers) – 20 caps
7. Ashley Marsters (#117 - Boroondara) – 38 caps
8. Tabua Tuinakauvadra (#200 - Orange Emus) – 15 caps
9. Layne Morgan (#188 - Merewether Carlton) – 33 caps
10. Tia Hinds (#222 - Randwick) – 3 caps
11. Desiree Miller (#204 - Eastern Suburbs) – 16 caps
12. Trilleen Pomare (#155 - Wanneroo) – 37 caps
13. Charlotte Caslick (#220 - Wests Bulldogs) – 4 caps
14. Waiaria Ellis (Blacktown Scorpions)* – debut
15. Faitala Moleka (#199 - Blacktown Scorpions) – 20 caps
Reserves
16. Adiana Talakai (#182 - Sydney University) – 17 caps
17. Lydia Kavoa (#214 - Eastern Suburbs) – 6 caps
18. Asoiva (Eva) Karpani (#171 - Southern Suburbs) – 35 caps
19. Annabelle Codey (#189 – Easts Brisbane) – 5 caps
20. Piper Duck (#185 – Tumut Bullettes) – 15 caps
21. Emily Chancellor (#158 - Sydney University) – 27 caps
22. Samantha Wood (#207 – Kalamunda Rugby) – 4 caps
23. Cecilia Smith (#190 - Leeton Dianas) – 22 caps
Players unavailable for selection
- Georgina Friedrichs (personal reasons)
- Sally Fuesaina (calf)
- Brianna Hoy (knee)
- Atasi Lafai (knee)
- Leilani Nathan (knee)
- Maya Stewart (knee)
- Bienne Terita (hamstring)
