2024 Wales v Wallaroos

[Burgs]

Pomare returns for Wallaroos, Leonard to skipper vs Wales

Wed, Sep 18, 2024, 2:00 PM
Ben Somerford

https://westernforce.rugby/news/wall...eonard-2024918

Trilleen Pomare will return to the Wallaroos starting XV with Michaela Leonard resuming the captaincy for Saturday’s women’s international against Wales in Newport.

Lucy Dinnen and Alapeta Ngauamo, who both debuted last Saturday against Ireland, have also been named as reserves.

Saturday’s game against Wales at Rodney Parade in Newport starts at 2am WST live on Stan Sport.

The Wallaroos are using the games against Wales and Ireland as preparation ahead of the WXV 2 which starts in late September in Cape Town.

Australia will take on Wales, South Africa and Scotland at the WXV 2, with Japan and Italy also in the section.

Wales v Australia

Women's International

Saturday 21 September, 2am AWST

Live on Stan Sport

Wallaroos line-up

1. Bridie O'Gorman (#180 - Sydney University) – 23 caps

2. Tania Naden (#197 - Uni-North Owls) - 15 caps

3. Eva Karpani (#171 - Onkaparinga) – 27 caps

4. Kaitlan Leaney (#179 - CSU Marlins) – 21 caps

5. Michaela Leonard (c) (#168 - Tuggeranong Vikings) – 28 caps

6. Siokapesi Palu (#194 - Rockdale Rangers) – 12 caps

7. Ashley Marsters (#117 - Booroondarra) – 30 caps

8. Tabua Tuinakauvadra (#200 - Tuggeranong Vikings) – 7 caps

9. Layne Morgan (#188 - Merewether Carlton) – 25 caps

10. Faitala Moleka (#199 - Blacktown Scorpions) – 12 caps

11. Desiree Miller (#204 - Eastern Suburbs) – 8 caps

12. Trilleen Pomare (#155 - Wanneroo) – 29 caps

13. Georgina Friedrichs (#178 - Wests Bulldogs) – 25 caps

14. Maya Stewart (#196 - Nelson Bay Gropers) – 12 caps

15. Caitlyn Halse (#210 – Southern Districts) – 2 caps


16. Tiarna Molloy (#191 - Inverell Highlanders) – 4 caps

17. Alapeta Ngauamo (#215 - Wests Bulldogs) - 1 cap

18. Lydia Kavoa (#214 - Eastern Suburbs) - 2 caps

19. Atasi Lafai (#161 - Campbelltown Harlequins) – 14 caps

20. Lucy Dinnen (#216 - Wanneroo) – 1 cap

21. Natalie Wright (#213 - Wests Bulldogs) – 3 caps

22. Arabella McKenzie (#175 - Lightning Ridge Tigers) – 27 caps

23. Lori Cramer (#172 - University of Queensland) – 24 caps

[Burgs]

Halse returns to starting side as Wallaroos lock in side to face Wales in pre WXV Test

Wed, Sep 18, 2024, 1:58 PM
Nathan Williamson

Wallaroos coach Jo Yapp has recalled fullback Caitlyn Halse to the starting side for Saturday's (AEST) Test with Wales in Newport.

Halse's call-up comes on her 18th birthday after the Waratah became the youngest Australian to play Test Rugby earlier in the year.

Catch the Wallaroos take on Wales live, ad-free and on demand on Stan Sport

Yapp has made four changes to the 23 that went down to Ireland in Belfast, with Halse's inclusion pushing Lori Cramer to the bench.

Trilleen Pomare returns to the side in the centres, partnering with Georgina Friedrichs, whilst Layne Morgan swaps with Natalie Wright to start at scrumhalf.

Hooker Tania Naden has overcome a finger injury to take her place in the front-row after missing last week's defeat.

Her return sees Ashley Marsters shift to the back row to partner Siokapesi Palu and Tabua Tuinakauvadra.

Palu relinquishes the captaincy back to Michaela Leonard, with Atasi Lafai added to the bench.

“We were really disappointed with last week’s performance against Ireland and have an opportunity against Wales to improve in key areas of our game," Yapp said in a statement.

“We will play Wales again in Round 1 of WXV 2 so the opportunity to play them a week earlier can give us a good gauge in where both teams are at leading into the tournament.

“Tania, Caitlyn, Trilleen and Atasi have all been training well and come back into the side.

“As a team, we know what we’re capable of we just need to transfer that into Friday night in Newport.”

The two teams will face off again in just over a week to kick off the WXV 2 tournament on September 28.