Waiaria Ellis is set to become the Wallaroos’ second-youngest Test debutant after being named to play New Zealand in Wellington on Saturday (2:30pm AEST).
Ellis, a former junior Australian representative gymnast, has been named on the wing in Jo Yapp’s backline as the Wallaroos aim for an elusive maiden victory over the Black Ferns in the second instalment of the O’Reilly Cup for 2025.
At 17 years and 305 days, Ellis falls just short of the previous record set by Wallaroos teammate Caitlyn Halse (17 years and 242 days) last year, but along with Ruby Anderson, the youngest-ever trio have all debuted in the past 12 months under Yapp.
Ellis started her rugby journey with the Blacktown Scorpions in 2022 and has come through the state and national system in both Rugby Sevens and XVs.
Wallaroos coach Jo Yapp said in a statement: “We’re all really pleased for Waiaria, she has been involved in our camps for a while now and came out with us to WXV in South Africa last year.
“She has an excellent skillset and her youthfulness has a great effect on the playing group. We are confident in her ability to take the next step at this level.
“We also welcome back Piper Duck, Lydia Kavoa, Sammy Wood and Annabelle Codey, who are all great inclusions for us at this time of the year.
“Our World Cup preparations are well and truly underway and we have been really impressed with how the players are stepping up at training.”
Charlotte Caslick will start at outside centre with Georgina Friedrichs unavailable due to personal reasons.
Tia Hinds starts gets the nod at flyhalf with Faitala Moleka switching to fullback while Faliki Pohiva and Tania Naden are back in the starting front row.
Lock Annabelle Codey will play her first Test match in 631 days after being included on the bench while Piper Duck is in line for her first Test since July last year.
Samantha Wood (back) and Lydia Kavoa (calf) make welcome returns from injury to the Wallaroos after successful comebacks playing for Australia A in Canberra last month.
WALLAROOS TEAM TO PLAY NEW ZEALAND
- Faliki Pohiva (#219 – Blacktown Scorpions) – 2 caps
- Tania Naden (#197 – Uni-North Owls) – 22 caps
- Bridie O’Gorman (#180 – Sydney University) – 30 caps
- Kaitlan Leaney (#179 – CSU Marlins) – 28 caps
- Michaela Leonard (#168 – Tuggeranong Vikings) – 36 caps
- Siokapesi Palu (c) (#194 – Rockdale Rangers) – 20 caps
- Ashley Marsters (#117 – Boroondara) – 38 caps
- Tabua Tuinakauvadra (#200 – Orange Emus) – 15 caps
- Layne Morgan (#188 – Merewether Carlton) – 33 caps
- Tia Hinds (#222 – Randwick) – 3 caps
- Desiree Miller (#204 – Eastern Suburbs) – 16 caps
- Trilleen Pomare (#155 – Wanneroo) – 37 caps
- Charlotte Caslick (#220 – Wests Bulldogs) – 4 caps
- Waiaria Ellis (Blacktown Scorpions)* – debut
- Faitala Moleka (#199 – Blacktown Scorpions) – 20 caps
Reserves
- Adiana Talakai (#182 – Sydney University) – 17 caps
- Lydia Kavoa (#214 – Eastern Suburbs) – 6 caps
- Asoiva (Eva) Karpani (#171 – Southern Suburbs) – 35 caps
- Annabelle Codey (#189 – Easts Brisbane) – 5 caps
- Piper Duck (#185 – Tumut Bullettes) – 15 caps
- Emily Chancellor (#158 – Sydney University) – 27 caps
- Samantha Wood (#207 – Kalamunda Rugby) – 4 caps
- Cecilia Smith (#190 – Leeton Dianas) – 22 caps
