Wallaroos coach Jo Yapp has confirmed her first side of her coaching tenure ahead of Saturday's Pacific Four opener against Canada in Sydney.
Yapp has named three potential debutants, with Hera-Barb Malcolm Heke, Sally Fuesaina and Samantha Wood included as part of the reserves.
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Malcolm Heke and Wood have been rewarded after proving integral in the Western Force's maiden finals appearance, whilst 32-year-old Fuesaina's standout season for the Brumbies has seen her included alongside Wallaroo Player of the Year Eva Karpani.
The starting side is similar to the team that defeated Wales to conclude 2023 with a few positional tweaks.
Michaela Leonard captains the side, joined in the second row by Kaitlan Leaney, who finished the year as a back-rower.
Leaney's shift coincides with the return of Piper Duck at number eight, whilst Bridie O'Gorman starts in the front row.
Arabella McKenzie joins Waratahs teammate Layne Morgan in the halves, with Force skipper Trileen Pomare partnering Georgina Friedrichs in the centres.
Lori Cramer has been named at fullback to round off an experienced Wallaroos side, complementing Waratahs' wingers Maya Stewart and Desiree Miller in an electric back three.
Cramer, Morgan and Friedrichs will bring up 20 caps for the Wallaroos, one of eight in the side to have achieved the milestone. It's a stark contrast from two years ago in former coach Jay Tregonning's first Test when Liz Patu (23) was the only player with that experience in their opening Test of 2022 against Fijiana.
Yapp backed the experience to shine through against fourth-ranked Canada, out to start their Test season on a high.
“We’re really happy with how the squad has connected over the past week and training in Blacktown has been a great environment for the players to prepare in camp,” Yapp said.
“Hera-Barb, Sam and Sally are all deserving of their opportunity to make their debut and I’m looking forward to them making an impact in this team.
“The girls are excited to play their first Test match of the year and put in a good performance at Allianz Stadium in front of our home fans.”
1. Brianna Hoy (NSW Waratahs) – 3 caps
2. Tania Naden (ACT Brumbies) – 10 caps
3. Bridie O'Gorman (NSW Waratahs) – 17 caps
4. Kaitlan Leaney (NSW Waratahs) – 15 caps
5. Michaela Leonard (c) (Western Force) – 22 caps
6. Siokapesi Palu (ACT Brumbies) – 6 caps
7. Ashley Marsters (Melbourne Rebels) – 26 caps
8. Piper Duck (NSW Waratahs) – 10 caps
9. Layne Morgan (NSW Waratahs) – 19 caps
10. Arabella McKenzie (NSW Waratahs) – 21 caps
11. Desiree Miller (NSW Waratahs) – 2 caps
12. Trilleen Pomare (Western Force) – 24 caps
13. Georgina Friedrichs (NSW Waratahs) – 19 caps
14. Maya Stewart (NSW Waratahs) – 8 caps
15. Lori Cramer (Queensland Reds) – 19 caps
Reserves
16. Hera-Barb Malcolm Heke* (Western Force) - debut
17 Sally Fuesaina* (ACT Brumbies) – debut
18. Eva Karpani (NSW Waratahs) – 21 caps
19. Atasi Lafai (NSW Waratahs) – 9 caps
20. Leilani Nathan (NSW Waratahs) – 2 caps
21. Tabua Tuinakauvadra (ACT Brumbies) – 4 caps
22. Samantha Wood* (Western Force) - debut
23. Faitala Moleka (ACT Brumbies) – 6 caps *Denotes potential debut
