Wallaroos back-rower Tiarah Minns and young gun Waiaria Ellis will play their first Tests of 2026 after being named to face Canada in the opening Pacific Four series clash at Heart Health Park in Sacramento on Sunday (12pm AEST).
Minns and Ellis are the only personnel changes to the Wallaroos squad that defeated Fijiana 33-15 in Canberra last month as interim coach Sam Needs opts for an otherwise settled line-up.
Minns missed the recent Rugby World Cup in England but is in line for her first Test match since May last year while Ellis could achieve a fourth career cap after being included in the reserves.
Experienced trio Michaela Leonard, Georgina Friedrichs and Desiree Miller return to the starting side after being eased into Test match football last month.
Friedrichs will reach the 40th Test milestone while Miller and captain Siokapesi Palu Sekona will celebrate their 25th caps for the Wallaroos.
Miller has scored two tries in her past two matches against the Canadians, who are ranked second in the world following their World Cup runners-up result.
Flyhalf Nicole Ledington retains her spot at 10 after a strong debut while Sevens convert Sidney Taylor shifts to inside centre with Friedrichs’ return.
The bench includes a strong mix of youth and experience with Eva Karpani, Cecilia Smith and Piper Duck joining the likes of rookies Brittany Merlo and Lily Bone. Wallaroos interim coach Sam Needs said: "We’ve settled into the US and have trained really well with a healthy squad to choose from.
"There’s been intense competition for spots that’s only bringing the best out in players.
"Canada are a great side but for us this week it's about sticking to our processes and building upon the win against Fijiana.
"It's great for Tiarah Minns and Waiaria Ellis to each get another opportunity with the side and we’re all excited to play well on Saturday."
The Wallaroos met Canada twice last year for two defeats, including during last year’s World Cup quarter-final in Bristol.
Watch every Wallaroos Test match in 2026, live and ad-free on Stan Sport or Channel Nine and 9GEM live. WALLAROOS TEAM TO PLAY CANADA
1. Brianna Hoy (#203 - NSW Waratahs/Coffs Harbour Snappers) – 10 caps
2. Adiana Talakai (#182 - NSW Waratahs/Sydney University) – 22 caps
3. Bridie O’Gorman (#180 - NSW Waratahs/Sydney University) – 38 caps
4. Michaela Leonard (#168 - Western Force/Tuggeranong Vikings) – 43 caps
5. Tiarah Minns (#217 - Queensland Reds/Melbourne University) – 3 caps
6. Kaitlan Leaney (#179 - NSW Waratahs/SCU Marlins) – 36 caps
7. Emily Chancellor (#158 - NSW Waratahs/Sydney University) – 35 caps
8. Siokapesi Palu Sekona (c) (#194 - ACT Brumbies/Rockdale Rangers) – 24 caps
9. Samantha Wood (#207 - Western Force/Kalamunda Rugby Club) – 12 caps
10. Nicole Ledington (#226 - Western Force/Kalamunda Rugby Club) – 1 cap
11. Desiree Miller (#204 - NSW Waratahs/Eastern Suburbs) – 24 caps
12. Sidney Taylor (#227 - Queensland Reds/Wests Bulldogs) – 1 cap
13. Georgina Friedrichs (#178 - NSW Waratahs/Wests Bulldogs) – 39 caps
14. Maya Stewart (#196 - NSW Waratahs/Nelson Bay Gropers) – 23 caps
15. Faitala Moleka (#199 - ACT Brumbies/Blacktown Scorpions) – 27 caps
Reserves
16. Brittany Merlo (#230 - NSW Waratahs/Sydney University) – 1 cap
17. Faliki Pohiva (#219 - NSW Waratahs/Blacktown Scorpions) – 8 caps
18. Eva Karpani (#171 - Queensland Reds/Southern Suburbs) – 42 caps
19. Ashley Fernandez (#221 - ACT Brumbies/Uni-North Owls) – 7 caps
20. Lily Bone (#229 - ACT Brumbies/Orange City) – 1 cap
21. Piper Duck (#185 - NSW Waratahs/Tumut Bullettes) – 23 caps
22. Waiaria Ellis (#225 - NSW Waratahs/Blacktown Scorpions) – 3 caps
23. Cecilia Smith (#190 - Western Force/Leeton Dianas) – 29 caps
WALLAROOS 2026 TEST SCHEDULE
- March 27: Wallaroos 33 defeated Fijiana 15 at GIO Stadium
- April 11: Canada v Wallaroos at Heart Health Park, Sacramento, USA - 12:00pm AEST (Pacific Four series)
- April 17: USA v Wallaroos at CPKC Stadium, Kansas City, USA - 11:00am AEST (Pacific Four series)
- April 25: Wallaroos v New Zealand at Sunshine Coast Stadium - 7:45pm AEST (Pacific Four series/O’Reilly Cup)
- August 22: New Zealand v Wallaroos at Go Media Stadium, Auckland (O’Reilly Cup)
WXV Global Series
- September 13: England v Wallaroos at CorpAcq Stadium, Salford - 12:00am AEST
- September 19: WXV Global series away Test - TBC
- September 26: WXV Global series away Test - TBC
- October 17: Wallaroos v Scotland home Test - TBC
- October 23: Wallaroos v Scotland at GIO Stadium, Canberra
