When you’ve missed a call and a text from the coach, it’s generally not a good sign, but for Kaitlan Leaney, it was a decision she didn’t see coming.
Leaney will step into the Wallaroos co-captaincy alongside NSW Waratahs teammate Emily Chancellor after being elevated to the role for Saturday’s clash with Samoa.
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The hard-working lock has climbed the ranks ever since she was an unused member of the last World Cup squad in 2022, having finished several games in 2025 as Australia’s on-field skipper.
“It’s pretty cool. I found out yesterday on our day off,” Leaney told reporters.
“Jo [Yapp, Wallaroos coach] just gave me a quick call, said that she'd spoken to Chance and thought that it would be a good opportunity for me to learn off her and have this co-captaincy together against Samoa, obviously just to give us that depth for the rest of the tournament.
“I don't think anything really changes in terms of the way I lead. I lead by my actions, so I'm just looking to do the same this weekend.
“This experience alone is a lot different to my first World Cup. I didn't play a game, so now to be here representing my country and let alone having the captaincy next to my name, it's something I don't take for granted, and I'm just really blessed with the opportunity.”
This journey includes a stint in England with Harlequins alongside Chancellor, helping her settle into the experience.
“It feels nostalgic in a way because a lot of the things that the girls were experiencing the first time, simple things like Tesco or Percy Pigs from M&S, that sort of thing, is something that I got used to and I loved about England,” Leaney said.
“I'm not necessarily being the tour guide yet because I don't know Manchester, but hopefully for Twickenham later in the campaign for the finals, I'll be able to show them around a bit.”
Wallaroos coach Jo Yapp believes it was a natural progression for the 24-year-old, who becomes the 20th Australian to take the honour.
“Kaitlan Leaney’s been part of the leadership group for a while, she was vice-captain previously and obviously that ‘Pes’ [Siopakesi Palu] is injured, just the opportunity to make sure that we've got that leadership on the field all the time,” she believes.
“I think she's been outstanding as a leader on and off the field. Her experience that she's got from playing overseas, and she leads the lineout really well alongside Mac [Leonard], seeing that growth in her on and off the field has been really impressive.”
