The Western Force’s full five-player contingent in the Wallaroos’ Women’s Rugby World Cup squad have been named to play against England in Australia’s final pool match (Sunday 12am AWST).
Force quartet Michaela Leonard, Ashley Marsters, Samantha Wood and Trilleen Pomare will all start against the Red Roses, with Cecilia Smith named among the impact squad for the crucial clash in Brighton.
Siokapesi Palu, who has been sidelined since July with a foot injury suffered during a Test match in New Zealand, will start in the back-row after an intense and accelerated rehabilitation.
It’s a significant moment for Palu, who despite being part of the World Cup squad in 2022, did not take the field in that tournament. She will also resume the leadership duties as captain.
Palu’s comeback is one of two personnel changes by coach Jo Yapp following last week’s 31-31 draw with USA and with a quarter-final spot on the line.
Adiana Talakai will start at hooker in a new-look front row that features Lydia Kavoa and Asoiva Karpani with Tania Naden, Faliki Pohiva and Bridie O’Gorman all shifting to the bench.
Karpani will be the latest to join the 40-club with the Southern Suburbs junior reaching the milestone this weekend, becoming the fourth player to do so.
Tabua Tuinakauvadra and Emily Chancellor also move to the reserves with Palu and Ashley Marsters in the starting side while Pomare and Smith swap places in the matchday 23.
Wallaroos coach Jo Yapp said: "We’re really pleased to have Pesi back at this stage of the World Cup.
"She has worked tremendously hard with her rehab and we are excited to have her back as both a player and leader.
"We know the permutations around the game against England on Saturday but the focus remains on ourselves and improving on last week.
"We could not fault the effort of the group last week, but we also recognised there are key areas we need to improve on in preparation for our next game."
The Wallaroos attended a fan zone event in Brighton on Thursday as part of the build-up to the match, where a crowd of over 30,000 spectators could attend.
Yapp’s side will hold a final training run on Friday at the stadium to wrap up preparations.
Australia requires a victory, a losing bonus point or will rely on points differential in a bid to advance to the quarter-finals on Saturday.
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 ENGLAND
1. Lydia Kavoa (#214 - Eastern Suburbs) – 10 caps
2. Adiana Talakai (#182 - Sydney University) – 19 caps
3. Asoiva Karpani (#171 - Southern Suburbs) – 39 caps
4. Kaitlan Leaney (#179 - SCU Marlins) – 33 caps
5. Michaela Leonard (#168 - Tuggeranong Vikings) – 40 caps
6. Piper Duck (#185 - Tumut Bullettes) – 20 caps
7. Ashley Marsters (#117 - Boroondara) – 43 caps
8. Siokapesi Palu (c) (#194 - Rockdale Rangers) – 21 caps
9. Samantha Wood (#207 - Kalamunda Rugby) – 9 caps
10. Faitala Moleka (#199 - Blacktown Scorpions) – 24 caps
11. Desiree Miller (#204 - Eastern Suburbs) – 21 caps
12. Trilleen Pomare (#155 - Wanneroo) – 41 caps
13. Georgina Friedrichs (#178 - Wests Bulldogs) – 36 caps
14. Maya Stewart (#196 - Nelson Bay Gropers) – 20 caps
15. Caitlyn Halse (#210 - Camden Rams) – 13 caps
Reserves
16. Tania Naden (#197 - Uni-North Owls) – 26 caps
17. Faliki Pohiva (#219 - Blacktown Scorpions) – 6 caps
18. Bridie O’Gorman (#180 - Sydney University) – 35 caps
19. Annabelle Codey (#189 - Easts Brisbane) – 7 caps
20. Emily Chancellor (#158 - Sydney University) – 32 caps
21. Tabua Tuinakauvadra (#200 - Orange Emus) – 20 caps
22. Tia Hinds (#222 - Randwick) – 8 caps
23. Cecilia Smith (#190 - Leeton Dianas) – 26 caps
