Michaela Leonard will become the most-capped player in Wallaroos history after being named in the starting side to play New Zealand at Sunshine Coast Stadium on Anzac Day.
Leonard, who captained the Wallaroos between 2023-2024, will go past the previous record set by Ashley Marsters when she runs out for a 46th time in the final Test match of the 2026 Pacific Four series. The 31-year-old made her Wallaroos debut in 2019 against Japan in Newcastle and has since played 45 out of a possible 47 Test matches, including 16 as captain. The Tuggeranong Vikings junior led the Wallaroos to their first-ever piece of silverware in 2024 when the side lifted the WXV2 trophy in South Africa. Leonard’s return to the starting side is among several changes by Wallaroos interim coach Sam Needs following last week’s loss to the USA in Kansas City. Force scrum-half Sammy Wood starts again at nine, while Faitala Moleka shifts to flyhalf with Nicole Ledington moving to the reserves.
Wallaroos interim coach Sam Needs said: "Playing on Anzac Day is a significant moment for our sport and the players and staff are incredibly honoured by the opportunity to represent our nation on a commemorative day.
"We are looking to finish our Pacific Four series strong after returning from the US trip with lifelong memories and experiences.
"We’d also like to congratulate Michaela Leonard. It’s an incredible achievement for Michaela to become the most-capped Wallaroo and a credit to her longevity and determination to get better every day."
The Test match is the first time the Wallaroos and Black Ferns have played on Anzac Day while Sunshine Coast Stadium hosts a maiden women’s rugby international fixture.
The Wallaroos and Black Ferns play for the Laurie O’Reilly Cup each year with two international Test matches (home and away) with New Zealand holding the trophy since 1994.
Watch the Anzac Day Test match between Australia and New Zealand live on Channel 9 and Stan Sport.
Match details
Saturday 25 April, 5:45pm AWST (Pacific Four series/O’Reilly Cup)
Wallaroos v New Zealand
Sunshine Coast Stadium
WALLAROOS TEAM TO PLAY NEW ZEALAND
1. Brianna Hoy (#203 - NSW Waratahs/Coffs Harbour Snappers) – 12 caps
2. Tania Naden (#197 – ACT Brumbies/Uni-North Owls) – 28 caps
3. Eva Karpani (#171 - Queensland Reds/Southern Suburbs) – 44 caps
4. Michaela Leonard (#168 - Western Force/Tuggeranong Vikings) – 45 caps
5. Tiarah Minns (#217 - Queensland Reds/Melbourne University) – 5 caps
6. Kaitlan Leaney (#179 - NSW Waratahs/SCU Marlins) – 38 caps
7. Lily Bone (#229 – ACT Brumbies/Orange City) – 2 caps
8. Siokapesi Palu Sekona (c) (#194 - ACT Brumbies/Rockdale Rangers) – 26 caps
9. Samantha Wood (#207 - Western Force/Kalamunda Rugby Club) – 14 caps
10. Faitala Moleka (#199 - ACT Brumbies/Blacktown Scorpions) – 29 caps
11. Desiree Miller (#204 - NSW Waratahs/Eastern Suburbs) – 26 caps
12. Sidney Taylor (#227 - Queensland Reds/Wests Bulldogs) – 3 caps
13. Georgina Friedrichs (#178 - NSW Waratahs/Wests Bulldogs) – 41 caps
14. Maya Stewart (#196 - NSW Waratahs/Nelson Bay Gropers) – 25 caps
15. Waiaria Ellis (#225 - NSW Waratahs/Blacktown Scorpions) – 5 caps
Reserves
16. Brittany Merlo (#230 – NSW Waratahs/Sydney University) – 2 caps
17. Martha Fua (#223 – ACT Brumbies/Blacktown Scorpions) – 2 caps
18. Bridie O’Gorman (#180 - NSW Waratahs/Sydney University) – 40 caps
19. Ashley Fernandez (#221 – ACT Brumbies/Uni-North Owls) – 8 caps
20. Piper Duck (#185 - NSW Waratahs/Tumut Bullettes) – 25 caps
21. Piper Simons (#231 – NSW Waratahs/Gordon Rugby) – 1 cap
22. Ava Wereta (#233 - Queensland Reds/Coomera Crushers) – 1 cap
23. Nicole Ledington (#226 - Western Force/Kalamunda Rugby Club) – 3 caps
