Western Force quartet Trilleen Pomare, Michaela Leonard, Lucy Dinnen and Alapeta Ngauamo have all been named in the Wallaroos’ 23-player team for Saturday’s WXV2 opener against Wales.
The Wallaroos will face Wales from 6:30pm WST on Saturday in Cape Town, with the game live on Stan Sport.
The WXV is the women’s international rugby group tournament, with the Wallaroos in the second division (WXV2) featuring six nations - Australia, Italy, Japan, Scotland, South Africa and Wales - all playing in Cape Town over the next three weeks.
The Wallaroos will open their three-game campaign against Wales, with lock Leonard to skipper the side. Pomare has been named in the starting XV at inside-centre.
Front-rower Ngauamo and back-rower Dinnen are both among the reserves, having both debuted for the Wallaroos a fortnight ago against Ireland in Belfast.
Wallaroos coach Jo Yapp said: “We’ve had a good week so far in Cape Town and have prepared well. “We’re expecting another close match with Wales on Saturday to start our campaign and are confident if we can tidy up our discipline the results will follow. “It’s similar team to last week with Arabella coming into the starting side and Cecilia Smith back in the 23. They both bring key experience for the tournament.”
Watch all the action on Stan Sport with every Wallaroos game streaming ad-free, live and on demand with Wallaroos at home in 4K UHD.
Wallaroos team to play Wales
@ DHL Stadium in Cape Town on Saturday 28 September, 6:30pm WST
1. Bridie O'Gorman (#180 - Sydney University) – 24 caps
2. Tania Naden (#197 - Uni-North Owls) – 16 caps
3. Eva Karpani (#171 - Onkaparinga) – 28 caps
4. Kaitlan Leaney (#179 - CSU Marlins) – 22 caps
5. Michaela Leonard (c) (#168 - Tuggeranong Vikings) – 29 caps
6. Siokapesi Palu (#194 - Rockdale Rangers) – 13 caps
7. Ashley Marsters (#117 - Booroondarra) – 31 caps
8. Tabua Tuinakauvadra (#200 - Tuggeranong Vikings) – 8 caps
9. Layne Morgan (#188 - Merewether Carlton) – 26 caps
10. Arabella McKenzie (#175 - Lightning Ridge Tigers) – 28 caps
11. Desiree Miller (#204 - Eastern Suburbs) – 9 caps
12. Trilleen Pomare (#155 - Wanneroo) – 30 caps
13. Georgina Friedrichs (#178 - Wests Bulldogs) – 26 caps
14. Maya Stewart (#196 - Nelson Bay Gropers) – 13 caps
15. Caitlyn Halse (#210 - Southern Districts) – 3 caps
Reserves
16. Tiarna Molloy (#191 - Inverell Highlanders) – 4 caps
17. Lydia Kavoa (#214 - Eastern Suburbs) – 3 caps
18. Alapeta Ngauamo (#215 - Wests Bulldogs) – 1 cap
19. Atasi Lafai (#161 - Campbelltown Harlequins) – 15 caps
20. Lucy Dinnen (#216 - Wanneroo) – 2 caps
21. Natalie Wright (#213 - Wests Bulldogs) – 3 caps
22. Cecilia Smith (#190 - Leeton Dianas) – 16 caps
23. Faitala Moleka (#199 - Blacktown Scorpions) – 12 caps
