Wallaroos trio Dillyn Blackburn, Ella Ryan and Ava Wereta are in line to make their international debuts after being included on the bench for the Pacific Four series clash against United States in Kansas City on Saturday morning (11:00am AEST).
The trio’s inclusions are among four personnel changes for the Wallaroos as the side prepares to face the Americans at CPKC Stadium.
World Cup hooker Tania Naden also returns after overcoming a knee injury that’s kept her sidelined for the past two Test matches.
Gympie Hammers junior Blackburn, 23, is a back-rower who took up the game six years ago before coming through Queensland Rugby’s pathways systems.
Ryan returned to rugby via the ACT Brumbies in 2025 after a two-year stint with the Canberra Raiders in the NRLW and has previously played for the NSW Waratahs.
Wereta is an up-and-coming centre who represents Bond University, having started playing rugby when she was 12 years old.
She was recently selected for the Australia A squad and played a key part in Australia’s Women’s Rugby 7s gold medal run at the Trinbago Commonwealth Games in 2023.
Wallaroos interim coach Sam Needs said: “We had some great moments last week despite the conditions and are looking to sharpen up some other areas against the Americans.
“The clashes between both sides of late have been close, competitive and we expect the same on their home turf in Kansas on Friday.
“It’s really exciting to have three debutants in our 23, and we look forward to seeing them make the most of their opportunities at the next level.”
Further reshuffles in the starting side see experienced trio Adiana Talakai, Bridie O’Gorman and Michaela Leonard move to the reserves with Eva Karpani and Piper Duck promoted.
Leonard will equal the all-time Wallaroos record of most appearances should she take the field on Friday night (local time) – joining former Wallaroo Ashley Marsters on 45 Tests.
Duck and winger Maya Stewart will both notch personal milestones of 25 Test matches.
The Wallaroos have played USA on 10 occasions since 1997 for three wins and more recently a history-making 31-all draw at the Women’s Rugby World Cup last year in York.
The Wallaroos will train on Thursday (local time) to wrap up preparations for the match.
Watch every Wallaroos Test match in 2026, live and ad-free on Stan Sport or Channel Nine and 9GEM live.
WALLAROOS TEAM TO PLAY USA
- Brianna Hoy (#203 - NSW Waratahs/Coffs Harbour Snappers) – 11 caps
2. Tania Naden (197 – ACT Brumbies/Uni-North Owls) – 27 caps
3. Eva Karpani (#171 - Queensland Reds/Southern Suburbs) – 43 caps
4. Kaitlan Leaney (#179 - NSW Waratahs/SCU Marlins) – 37 caps
5. Tiarah Minns (#217 - Queensland Reds/Melbourne University) – 4 caps
6. Siokapesi Palu Sekona (c) (#194 - ACT Brumbies/Rockdale Rangers) – 25 caps
7. Emily Chancellor (#158 - NSW Waratahs/Sydney University) – 36 caps
8. Piper Duck (#185 - NSW Waratahs/Tumut Bullettes) – 24 caps
9. Samantha Wood (#207 - Western Force/Kalamunda Rugby Club) – 13 caps
10. Nicole Ledington (#226 - Western Force/Kalamunda Rugby Club) – 2 caps
11. Desiree Miller (#204 - NSW Waratahs/Eastern Suburbs) – 25 caps
12. Sidney Taylor (#227 - Queensland Reds/Wests Bulldogs) – 2 caps
13. Georgina Friedrichs (#178 - NSW Waratahs/Wests Bulldogs) – 40 caps
14. Maya Stewart (#196 - NSW Waratahs/Nelson Bay Gropers) – 24 caps
15. Faitala Moleka (#199 - ACT Brumbies/Blacktown Scorpions) – 28 caps
Reserves
16. Adiana Talakai (#182 - NSW Waratahs/Sydney University) – 23 caps
17. Faliki Pohiva (#219 - NSW Waratahs/Blacktown Scorpions) – 9 caps
18. Bridie O’Gorman (#180 - NSW Waratahs/Sydney University) – 39 caps
19. Michaela Leonard (#168 - Western Force/Tuggeranong Vikings) – 44 caps
20. Dillyn Blackburn* (Queensland Reds/Gympie Hammers) – debut
21. Ella Ryan* (ACT Brumbies/Canberra Royals) – debut
22. Ava Wereta* (Queensland Reds/Coomera Crushers) – debut
23. Waiaria Ellis (#225 - NSW Waratahs/Blacktown Scorpions) – 4 caps
*denotes debutant
Unavailable for selection due to injury
- Ashley Fernandez (shoulder)
- Cecilia Smith (hamstring)
WALLAROOS 2026 TEST SCHEDULE
- March 27: Wallaroos 33 defeated Fijiana 15 at GIO Stadium, Canberra
- April 11: Canada 24 defeated Wallaroos 0 at Heart Health Park, Sacramento, USA
- April 17: USA v Wallaroos at CPKC Stadium, Kansas City, USA - 11:00am AEST (Pacific Four series)
- April 25: Wallaroos v New Zealand at Sunshine Coast Stadium - 7:45pm AEST (Pacific Four series/O’Reilly Cup)
- August 22: New Zealand v Wallaroos at Go Media Stadium, Auckland (O’Reilly Cup)
WXV Global Series
- September 13: England v Wallaroos at CorpAcq Stadium, Salford - 12:00am AEST
- September 19: WXV Global series away Test - TBC
- September 26: WXV Global series away Test - TBC
- October 17: Wallaroos v Scotland home Test - TBC
- October 23: Wallaroos v Scotland at GIO Stadium, Canberra
