Four Western Force players have been named in the Wallaroos side to play Samoa in their opening pool match of the Women’s Rugby World Cup at Salford Community Stadium on Saturday (7pm WST).
Perth-born-and-bred Force scrum-half Samantha Wood will make a sensational start at 9, while midfielder Cecilia Smith and lock Michaela Leonard are also in the starting team.
Force forward Ashley Marsters will look to make an impact as one of the finishers.
Wallaroos coach Jo Yapp has made five changes to the side that defeated Wales at North Sydney Oval earlier this month.
Experienced pair Asoiva Karpani and Smith return to the starting line-up while Adiana Talakai is the back-up hooker listed in the reserves.
Smith will notch her 25th Test cap for the Wallaroos after previously making her Test debut in 2022.
Veteran outside back Lori Cramer also comes into the matchday 23 as a utility on the bench.
Kaitlan Leaney will become the 20th captain of the Wallaroos, joining back-rower Emily Chancellor in sharing the captaincy duties on Saturday.
The Wallaroos have previously met Samoa once in a Test match for an 87-0 victory in 2010. More recently an Australia A side defeated Manusina 50-22 in Canberra.
Wallaroos coach Jo Yapp said: "We’ve had a good week settling into Manchester with everyone making us feel really welcomed and the players have hit the ground running at training.
"We know Samoa will be a tough, physical side and we need to match it with them on Saturday.
"There are no second chances at a World Cup and for us it starts with a good performance in our first match and building from there.
"It’s also fantastic to see Bri Hoy back in the team. We know how hard she has worked to make a return in time for the World Cup and she is deserving of her spot.
"We’re also really pleased to be able to give co-captaincy to Kaitlan Leaney, who is growing as a leader in the team."
The Wallaroos arrived in Manchester last week, settling into England ahead of their first match and engaging with the local community.
They’ll train again on Thursday afternoon local time before a final training run at Salford Community Stadium on Friday morning.
The Women’s Rugby World Cup will be the eighth campaign for the Wallaroos with their best finish coming in 2010 when they achieved third place.
Watch every Wallaroos match at the Women's Rugby World Cup, live and ad-free on Stan Sport or Channel Nine and 9GO/9GEM live.
WALLAROOS TEAM TO PLAY SAMOA
1. Faliki Pohiva (#219 - Blacktown Scorpions) – 4 caps
2. Katalina Amosa (#218 - Southern Districts) – 6 caps
3. Asoiva Karpani (#171 – Southern Suburbs) – 37 caps
4. Kaitlan Leaney (c) (#179 - SCU Marlins) – 31 caps
5. Michaela Leonard (#168 - Tuggeranong Vikings) – 38 caps
6. Piper Duck (#185 - Tumut Bullettes) – 18 caps
7. Emily Chancellor (c) (#158 - Sydney University) – 30 caps
8. Tabua Tuinakauvadra (#200 - Orange Emus) – 18 caps
9. Samantha Wood (#207 – Kalamunda Rugby) – 7 caps
10. Faitala Moleka (#199 – Blacktown Scorpions) – 22 caps
11. Desiree Miller (#204 - Eastern Suburbs) – 19 caps
12. Cecilia Smith (#190 – Leeton Dianas) – 24 caps
13. Georgina Friedrichs (#178 – Wests Bulldogs) – 34 caps
14. Maya Stewart (#196 – Nelson Bay Gropers) – 18 caps
15. Caitlyn Halse (#210 – Camden Rams) – 11 caps
Reserves
16. Adiana Talakai (#182 – Sydney University) – 18 caps
17. Brianna Hoy (#203 – Coffs Harbour Snappers) – 8 caps
18. Bridie O’Gorman (#180 – Sydney University) – 33 caps
19. Ashley Fernandez (#221 – Uni-North Owls) – 4 caps
20. Ashley Marsters (#117 - Boroondara) – 41 caps
21. Layne Morgan (#188 - Merewether Carlton) – 36 caps
22. Tia Hinds (#222 - Randwick) – 6 caps
23. Lori Cramer (#172 – University of Queensland) – 30 caps
Players unavailable for selection due to injury
• Siokapesi Palu (foot)
WOMEN'S RUGBY WORLD CUP 2025
• Saturday, August 23: Wallaroos v Samoa, Salford Community Stadium, Manchester – 7pm AWST
• Sunday, August 31: Wallaroos v USA at York Community Stadium, York - 2:30am AWST
• Sunday, September 7: Wallaroos v England at Brighton and Hove Stadium, Brighton and Hove - 12:00am AWST
