Wallaroos name six debutants and new skipper for Test opener as Yapp shuts down fears of team angst
Wallaby-coach-in-waiting Les Kiss might be in Suva on early Saturday afternoon, but all eyes will be on the other national team in gold as the Wallaroos kick-start their run into this year’s World Cup.
The Reds’ clash against the Drua will be the entrée to the main course, as Jo Yapp’s Wallaroos kick-start their World Cup year by taking on Fiji at 3pm.
Yapp has named six debutants for the clash, including handing Katalina Amosa – the younger sister of Wallaby, Brandon Paenga-Amosa – her first cap.
By starting in the No.2 jersey, the 23-year-old will become just the third brother-sister duo to play for Australia in the 15-a-side game. They follow Matt and Kristy Giteau, and Sam and Adiana Talakai.
Sam and Charlotte Caslick, who will also debut off the bench alongside her sevens colleague Tia Hinds, both played for Australia in sevens.
Katalina Amosa – the sister of Wallaby, Brandon – will make her debut for the Wallaroos against Fiji. (Photo by Pita Simpson/Getty Images)
The other debutants are tight-head prop Faliki Pohiva, and loose-head prop Martha Fua and lock Ashley Fernandez, who will both come off the bench.
Yapp, the former England halfback and captain who is entering her second season in charge of the Wallaroos, said it was important to strike the right “balance” between giving some new faces chances, winning the match and preparing for next week’s Pacific Four Series opener against New Zealand.
“We’ve already said this is all about growth for us in this block,” said Yapp, who will have seven Tests to prepare for August’s World Cup.
“It’s just about getting that balance.
“There’s some really strong combinations, but it’s also an opportunity for players who have performed really well in Super W to see how they step up into the Test match arena.”
Yapp also sprung a surprise by making a captaincy change.
After giving Michaela Leonard the leadership duties for much of last year, Yapp has turned to blindside flanker Siokapesi Palu to lead the side despite the second-rower also being named to start.
“This year was a new opportunity for us to review the leadership and Esi’s come through and is going to lead the squad,” Yapp said.
“But Mac’s still very part of that leadership group as are Lori [Cramer], Kaitlan [Leaney] and Em Chance, and we’re really fortunate to have five players, who are really strong leaders.”
Siokapesi Palu has been named Wallaroos captain for their season opener. (Photo by Cameron Spencer/Getty Images)
Amongst the six fresh faces, Yapp has picked a side with a lot of experience.
Layne Morgan starts at halfback alongside Brumby Faitala Moleka, Cecilia Smith partners Bienne Terita in the midfield while the Waratahs’ lethal outside backs Desiree Miller, Maya Stewart and Caityln Halse form the back three.
Interestingly, Hinds, who captained the Australian Sevens side recently, has been selected to cover the halfback role.
An immensely talented sevens player, the first-year Brumby can cover halfback, flyhalf and fullback.
Yapp said the decision to select her as replacement halfback cover was a good chance to see whether selecting a six-two, forwards-backs bench split could work in the future.
“Tia’s got a really strong skill set, which lends itself to nine and ten,” Yapp said.
“Predominately we’re looking at her as a ten, but actually from her sevens background, she also does a really good job at stepping in at nine.
“To be able to go 6-2, especially when we go to the Northern Hemisphere, is something we’re looking at long-term.”
Yapp also played down commentary from dual-international Mat Rogers that the additions of several sevens players on the eve of the World Cup, including Maddison Levi, could prove to be damaging.
“The three girls in camp with us have done exceptionally well,” Yapp said.
“They’ve fitted into the XVs environment so well, they’re really keen to learn.
“The rest of the girls have embraced them, and I think if you asked any of them how they feel, I think they’d say that.
“We keep checking in on them. They’re out there now, Charlotte’s on the laptop, she’s wanting to develop her game and this is really exciting.
“The energy they’ve brought in and how the girls have embraced them is genuinely great.”
Jo Yapp is in her second season in charge of the Wallaroos. (Photo by Albert Perez/Getty Images)
Meanwhile, Amosa said tears flowed as she shared the news with her family that she would run out in gold seven years after older brother, Brandon, debuted against Ireland.
“I think he cried more for me than his own debut, to be honest,” Amosa said. “He was red and flustered.
“He was really excited and has been giving me advice every day since I told him. He just wants me to enjoy it and have fun and do my job, and make the family proud.”
The hooker said she felt “blessed” by the selection, having made her way back from an ACL injury to earn selection.
“Honestly no, I had an ACL injury over the last 12 months, so I just wanted to get back into consistent Super W games,” she said.
“The World Cup was the main goal, but I didn’t think it was within reach. I’m really grateful and blessed.”
Caslick, who pulled out of the second half of the World Series Sevens tour to help her bid for World Cup selection, said she was enjoying being the “rookie” in the side.
“I am really proud of myself,” the sevens queen said.
“I think being 30 and putting myself in a new environment and doing a lot of it on my own, it’s been daunting at times, but I’ve been so well welcomed into the group since I joined, so I haven’t felt out of place.
“I am proud of myself. When you’re 18, you probably don’t appreciate the moment as much as you do when you’re 30, so it’s definitely up there as one of my career highlights for sure.”
WALLAROOS TEAM FOR FIJIANA TEST, 3pm Saturday
1. Bree-Anna Browne – 9 caps
2. Katalina Amosa – debut
3. Faliki Pohiva – debut
4. Michaela Leonard – 32 caps
5. Tiarah Minns – 1 cap
6. Siokapesi Palu (c) – 16 caps
7. Ashley Marsters – 34 caps
8. Tabua Tuinakauvadra – 11 caps
9. Layne Morgan – 29 caps
10. Faitala Moleka – 15 caps
11. Desiree Miller – 12 caps
12. Cecilia Smith – 18 caps
13. Bienne Terita – 5 caps
14. Maya Stewart – 16 caps
15. Caitlyn Halse – 6 caps
Reserves
16. Tania Naden – 19 caps
17. Martha Fua – debut
18. Eva Karpani – 31 caps
19. Ashley Fernandez – debut
20. Emily Chancellor (vc) – 23 caps
21. Tia Hinds – debut
22. Trilleen Pomare – 33 caps
23. Charlotte Caslick – debut
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)
WALLAROOS 2025 TEST SCHEDULE
Saturday, May 3: Fijiana v Wallaroos, HFC Bank Stadium, Suva – 3:00pm AEST
Saturday, May 10: Wallaroos v Black Ferns, McDonald Jones Stadium, Newcastle – 3:00pm AEST (Pacific Four Series)
Saturday, May 17: Wallaroos v USA, GIO Stadium, Canberra – 4:55pm AEST (Pacific Four Series)
Friday, May 23: Wallaroos v Canada, Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane – 4:55pm AEST (Pacific Four Series)
Saturday, July 12: Black Ferns v Wallaroos, Sky Stadium, Wellington – 2:30pm AEST (O’Reilly Cup)
Saturday, July 26: Wallaroos v Wales, Ballymore Stadium, Brisbane – 2:00pm AEST
Friday, August 1: Wallaroos v Wales, North Sydney Oval – 7:00pm AEST
RUGBY WORLD CUP 2025
Saturday, August 23: Wallaroos v Samoa, Salford Community Stadium, Manchester – 9:00pm AEST
Sunday, August 31: Wallaroos v USA at York Community Stadium, York – 4:30am AEST
Sunday, September 7: Wallaroos v England at Brighton and Hove Stadium, Brighton and Hove – 2:00am AEST