Five Western Force players have been named in the Wallaroos side to take on USA in their second World Cup pool match at York Community Stadium on Sunday morning (4:30am AEST).
The Wallaroos will be looking to lock in a quarter-final spot with victory over the Americans with Yapp making four changes to the team that defeated Samoa last week in Manchester.
Experienced quartet Tania Naden, Lydia Kavoa, Annabelle Codey and Trilleen Pomare come into the matchday 23 for the crucial clash.
Should she step onto the field, Pomare’s inclusion will see her officially play at a third World Cup with the veteran added to the bench with Lori Cramer making way.
Pomare joins Force quartet Samantha Wood, Michaela Leonard, Cecilia Smith and Ashley Marsters in the team.
Smith was named Player of the Match in the Wallaroos’ opening game and selected in the World Cup Team of the Week.
Former captain Leonard will also play her 40th Test, becoming just the third player in Wallaroos history behind Pomare and Marsters to go past the personal milestone.
Wallaroos coach Jo Yapp said: "Overall we were pleased with our performance against Samoa last week but in the context of our campaign, we know the match coming up is a big one for us.
"The USA will be physical and we’ll need to match that. We have been happy with how we’ve trained this week and we are excited for the challenge on Saturday.”
Injured captain Siokapesi Palu remains sidelined with a foot injury but is nearing closer to a return while winger Desiree Miller has been cleared to play following a head knock late in last week’s victory.
The Wallaroos have met the USA on nine occasions previously since 1997, winning three matches.
More recently they beat the Americans 27-19 during the Pacific Four series in Canberra in May.
Watch every Wallaroos match at the Women's Rugby World Cup, live and ad-free on Stan Sport or Channel Nine and 9GEM live.
WALLAROOS TEAM TO PLAY USA
1. Faliki Pohiva (#219 - Blacktown Scorpions) – 5 caps
2. Tania Naden (#197 - Uni-North Owls) – 25 caps
3. Bridie O’Gorman (#180 - Sydney University) – 34 caps
4. Kaitlan Leaney (c) (#179 - SCU Marlins) – 32 caps
5. Michaela Leonard (#168 - Tuggeranong Vikings) – 39 caps
6. Piper Duck (#185 - Tumut Bullettes) – 19 caps
7. Emily Chancellor (c) (#158 - Sydney University) – 31 caps
8. Tabua Tuinakauvadra (#200 - Orange Emus) – 19 caps
9. Samantha Wood (#207 - Kalamunda Rugby) – 8 caps
10. Faitala Moleka (#199 - Blacktown Scorpions) – 23 caps
11. Desiree Miller (#204 - Eastern Suburbs) – 20 caps
12. Cecilia Smith (#190 - Leeton Dianas) – 25 caps
13. Georgina Friedrichs (#178 - Wests Bulldogs) – 35 caps
14. Maya Stewart (#196 - Nelson Bay Gropers) – 19 caps
15. Caitlyn Halse (#210 - Camden Rams) – 12 caps
Reserves
16. Katalina Amosa (#218 - Southern Districts) – 7 caps
17. Lydia Kavoa (#214 - Eastern Suburbs) – 9 caps
18. Asoiva Karpani (#171 - Southern Suburbs) – 38 caps
19. Annabelle Codey (#189 - Easts Brisbane) – 7 caps
20. Ashley Marsters (#117 - Boroondara) – 42 caps
21. Layne Morgan (#188 - Merewether Carlton) – 37 caps
22. Trilleen Pomare (#155 - Wanneroo) – 40 caps
23. Tia Hinds (#222 - Randwick) – 7 caps
Players unavailable for selection due to injury
• Siokapesi Palu (foot)
WOMEN'S RUGBY WORLD CUP 2025
• Saturday, August 23: Wallaroos 73 defeated Samoa 0
• Sunday, August 31: Wallaroos v USA at York Community Stadium, York - 2:30pm AWST
• Sunday, September 7: Wallaroos v England at Brighton and Hove Stadium, Brighton and Hove - 12:00am AWST
