
Wallaroos coach Jo Yapp has included eight uncapped players in the team’s 30-player squad for a clash with Fijiana at Suva’s HFC Bank Stadium on Saturday. HSBC SVNS Series stars Charlotte Caslick and Tia Hinds are among those looking to make their Test debuts for Australia.
Yapp had initially chosen a star-studded group of 40 for a training camp in Canberra, held over the Anzac Day weekend, but the coach has reduced the squad ahead of Australia’s first Test match of 2025.
Katalina Amosa, Ruby Anderson, Ashley Fernandez, Martha Fua, Manu’a Moleka and Faliki Pohiva have also been selected as potential Wallaroos debutants. The Aussies will arrive in Suva on Tuesday evening and hold community activations throughout the week.
Waratahs centre Georgina Friedrichs has been ruled out with a finger injury. Friedrichs joins six others in the injury ward, with Piper Duck, Brianna Hoy, Atasi Lafai, Leilani Nathan, Adiana Talakai and Samanatha Wood also unavailable for selection.
“We’ve had a fantastic four days in camp and have selected a squad that we are looking to grow and develop as a side,” coach Jo Yapp said in a statement.
“The block of four Test matches coming up is all about growth and connection as we look to build into the World Cup in August with new and existing combinations.
“Fijiana will provide a challenge for us first in Suva and allow us to prepare well leading into the Pacific Four Series.
“For those players that have missed selection, they will continue to play a huge part in the coming months.”
Six more players can be added to the Wallaroos squad for the Pacific Four Series.
After taking on Fijiana, the Wallaroos will turn their focus towards the upcoming Pac Four Series. Australia start their campaign against traditional foe New Zealand at Newcastle’s McDonald Jones Stadium on May 10.
Australia will also take on the USA at Canberra’s GIO Stadium on May 10 and Canada at Brisbane’s Suncorp Stadium one week later. The Wallaroos will then come up against the Black Ferns in Wellington before two Tests against Wales, leading into the Rugby World Cup.
Wallaroos squad for Fijiana
- Katalina Amosa (ACT Brumbies/Southern Districts)*
- Ruby Anderson (NSW Waratahs/Avoca Beach Rugby)*
- Bree-Anna Browne (Queensland Reds/Wests Bulldogs)
- Charlotte Caslick (Queensland Reds/Wests Bulldogs)*
- Emily Chancellor (NSW Waratahs/Sydney University)
- Lori Cramer (Queensland Reds/University of Queensland)
- Ashley Fernandez (ACT Brumbies/Uni-North Owls)*
- Martha Fua (ACT Brumbies/Blacktown Scorpions)*
- Caitlyn Halse (NSW Waratahs/Camden Rams)
- Tia Hinds (ACT Brumbies/Randwick)*
- Eva Karpani (Queensland Reds/Southern Suburbs)
- Lydia Kavoa (ACT Brumbies/Eastern Suburbs)
- Kaitlan Leaney (NSW Waratahs/CSU Marlins)
- Michaela Leonard (Western Force/Tuggeranong Vikings)
- Ashley Marsters (Western Force/Boroondara)
- Desiree Miller (NSW Waratahs/Eastern Suburbs)
- Tiarah Minns (Queensland Reds/Melbourne University)
- Faitala Moleka (ACT Brumbies/Blacktown Scorpions)
- Manu’a Moleka (ACT Brumbies/Blacktown Scorpions)*
- Layne Morgan (Queensland Reds/Merewether Carlton)
- Tania Naden (ACT Brumbies/Uni-North Owls)
- Bridie O’Gorman (NSW Waratahs/Sydney University)
- Siokapesi Palu (ACT Brumbies/Rockdale Rangers)
- Faliki Pohiva (NSW Waratahs/Blacktown Scorpions)*
- Trilleen Pomare (Western Force/Wanneroo)
- Cecilia Smith (Western Force/Leeton Dianas)
- Maya Stewart (NSW Waratahs/Nelson Bay Gropers)
- Bienne Terita (ACT Brumbies/Randwick)
- Tabua Tuinakauvadra (ACT Brumbies/Orange Emus)
- Natalie Wright (Queensland Reds/Wests Bulldogs)
* denotes uncapped player
Unavailable for selection due to injury
- Piper Duck (shoulder)
- Brianna Hoy (knee)
- Georgina Friedrichs (finger)
- Atasi Lafai (knee)
- Leilani Nathan (knee)
- Adiana Talakai (personal reasons)
- Samantha Wood (back)