Western Force pair Alapeta Ngauamo and Lucy Dinnen are set to make their Wallaroos debuts after being named in the 23-player team to face Ireland on Saturday.
The Wallaroos will face the Irish in Belfast from 9:30pm WST on Saturday live on Stan Sport as preparation for the upcoming WXV 2 tournament in Cape Town.
Prop Ngauamo and back-rower Dinnen have been named as reserves, while Michaela Leonard is in the starting XV.
Dinnen’s Test debut would come at the age of 31, having been in extended squads in the lead-up to the 2022 Rugby World Cup previously.
She moved to Perth prior to the 2024 Super W season where she played six games and has played locally with Wanneroo in the Fortescue Women's Premier Grade. She previously played for the Queensland Reds and won the Super W Player of the Year in 2021.
Front-rower Ngauamo received her maiden call-up in June in an extended squad for a training camp in Canberra and is set to debut at 35-years-old.
She also switched Queensland for Perth prior to the 2024 season, where she excelled with six appearances and a try for the Force.
“We’re all really excited to be here in Belfast and I’ve been pleased with how the players have settled in and responded with the travel and being away from home,” Wallaroos coach Jo Yapp said.
“We want to put in a good performance on Saturday and build on what we’ve been working on in recent camps. It’s a new-look side selected and it’s important with a few injuries to build depth in key areas and give players an opportunity.
“Alapeta, Lucy and Tiarah are all deserving of their first Test caps this weekend and we’re looking forward to watching them play.”
WALLAROOS TEAM LIST TO FACE IRELAND
1. Bridie O'Gorman (#180 - Sydney University) – 22 caps
2. Ashley Marsters (#117 - Booroondarra) – 29 caps
3. Eva Karpani (#171 - Onkaparinga) – 26 caps
4. Kaitlan Leaney (#179 - CSU Marlins) – 20 caps
5. Michaela Leonard (#168 - Tuggeranong Vikings) – 27 caps
6. Siokapesi Palu (c) (#194 - Rockdale Rangers) – 11 caps
7. Leilani Nathan (#202 - Hamilton Hawks) – 7 caps
8. Tabua Tuinakauvadra (#200 - Tuggeranong Vikings) – 6 caps
9. Natalie Wright (#213 - Wests Bulldogs) – 2 caps
10. Faitala Moleka (#199 - Blacktown Scorpions) – 11 caps
11. Desiree Miller (#204 - Eastern Suburbs) – 7 caps
12. Cecilia Smith (#190 - Leeton Dianas) – 15 caps
13. Georgina Friedrichs (#178 - Wests Bulldogs) – 24 caps
14. Maya Stewart (#196 - Nelson Bay Gropers) – 11 caps
15. Lori Cramer (#172 - University of Queensland) – 23 caps
Reserves
16. Tiarna Molloy (#191 - Inverell Highlanders) – 3 caps
17. Alapeta Ngauamo* (Wests Bulldogs) - uncapped
18. Lydia Kavoa (#214 - Eastern Suburbs) - 1 cap
19. Tiarah Minns* (Melbourne Uni/Manly Mermaids) – uncapped
20. Lucy Dinnen* (Wanneroo) – uncapped
21. Layne Morgan (#188 - Merewether Carlton) – 26 caps
22. Arabella McKenzie (#175 - Lightning Ridge Tigers) – 26 caps
23. Biola Dawa (#211 - Wagga Reddies) – 2 caps
WALLAROOS TOUR OF IRELAND AND WALES
Saturday 14 September - Australia v Ireland at Kingspan Stadium, Belfast (9:30pm AWST)
Saturday 21 September - Australia v Wales at Rodney Parade, Newport (2am AWST)
WALLAROOS WXV SCHEDULE
Saturday 28 September - Australia v Wales at DHL Stadium, Cape Town (6:30pm AWST)
Saturday 5 October - Australia v South Africa at Athlone Stadium, Cape Town (11pm AWST)
Saturday 12 October - Australia v Scotland at Athlone Stadium, Cape Town (11pm AWST)
