The Wallaroos have returned to action with a warm-up win over Fiji and a loss to New Zealand in the Pacific Four Series.

Before the campaign began it seemed the core of the players and many positions were reasonably set.

Then a couple of injuries plus the introduction of a some rugby sevens players has mixed things up a bit.

From last season’s WXV2 squad of 30, 22 are in the current group. Noting that of the eight missing, only four are non selections, with injury or retirement accounting for the other four.

Jo Yapp, Head Coach of the Wallaroos, looks on in the huddle during the Pacific Four Series International Match between Australia Wallaroos and New Zealand Black Ferns at McDonald Jones Stadium on May 10, 2025 in Newcastle, Australia. (Photo by Robbie Stephenson/Getty Images)

In terms of the squad potential there was a bit of excitement with the rugby sevens women putting their hand up to try 15s. It naturally received press coverage, but realistically, it was not really on. Although if any year was perfect for them to try, it was the year after the Olympics.

Other than Charlotte Caslick, who missed three tournaments and Tia Hinds and Bienne Terita, who missed the LA tournament, for most the priority remained the sevens program. It appeared to be more a case of how to fit the 15s opportunity around the sevens program. It should be noted there were also a couple of injuries that put a spanner or two in the works.

Apart from missing out on seeing what Maddison Levi could do, it was probably for the greater good that the players withdrew their availability. There are now only five Tests before the World Cup. There is not the time to be developing players and trying even more combinations.

Interestingly, if this year was difficult to sort out the sevens/ 15s integration, wait for the next cycle. A 2029 home World Cup, the year after the 2028 Olympics. But that is a discussion for another day.

Putting that all aside, what have we learned?

The Wallaroos appear to have a competitive set piece. The next couple matches against the USA and Canada should provide a more definitive answer.

All six props in the squad have had a run and generally held their own. The locking stocks are looking solid. Similarly, the backrow is solid. But there is a bit of a depth issue with Leilani Nathan, Piper Duck and Atasi Lafau out with injury. The only other specialist backrower in the squad is recently turned 18-year-old Ruby Anderson.

Piper Duck. (Photo by Chris Hyde/Getty Images for Rugby Australia)

The big concern in the forwards, as shown on the weekend, is the inability to consistently get over the advantage line. They were throwing themselves whole-heartedly into the Kiwis’ defence but not making much of a dent. At the same time, the forwards were unable to slow down the opposition, who were regularly getting a roll on over the advantage line. There was a 20-minute period in the second half when the Wallaroos were very physical and seemed to match the Kiwis.

It will be interesting to see if Adiana Talakai and Faliki Pohiva are added to the 23 this weekend. They bring a bit of punch. 

Now for the backs. After two games do we have more answers or questions? What do we know or at least think we know? At this stage we have a range of highly skilled individual players but are not sure what is the best combination.

At a punt the only reasonable certainties in a game day 23 are Layne Morgan, Nat Wright, Faitala Moleka, Georgina Friedrichs and Desiree Miller.

The question at this stage of the campaign, when does coach Jo Yapp start locking in combinations rather than trialling combinations?

So let us look at the backs. Morgan and Wright are the half-backs. Behind them, but outside the squad is Ella Ryan. From inside the squad, it appears coach Jo Yapp believes Tia Hinds could fill in at a pinch.

After that it gets a bit complicated. At 10 we have had Moleka and Hinds start. At the same time in the squad is Lori Cramer and recently added Arabella McKenzie. Moleka is likely the starting front runner. Is Hinds the back-up? Did she do a good job? To be honest she was pretty good considering her lack of experience.

The outside backs are also a tad confusing. This week Caitlyn Halse could be out again and with a hamstring maybe she should be given another week.

Caslick filled in at wing but she is not a winger. Is it time to give Caslick a crack at fullback, put McKenzie at 12 and newbie Caitlin Urwin on the wing? (Although it looks like winger Biola Dawa is also back in the squad).

Can the lack of Caslick’s kicking game be offset by having McKenzie at 12? But as McKenzie has only been a recent addition, it would appear Cecilia Smith and Trilleen Pomare are the preferred centre options to combine with Friedrichs. If McKenzie did play 12, which two go on the bench out of Hinds, Cramer, Smith and Pomare? All these options do not include when the injured Maya Stewart and Bienne Terita are back in the mix.

So after two games, are there more answers or questions? For the backs, there are more questions.

A win over the USA is wanted so the team that’s selected will be intriguing. It will likely be quite different to the last time the two teams met.