The Wallaroos are set to unveil a new generation of players after naming nine debutants in the team to face Japan in their season-opening Test at Newcastle on Saturday.
Four players - Queensland hooker Averyl Mitchell, Brumbies lock Michaela Leonard and centres Ariana Hira-Herangi (Rugby WA) and Alysia Lefau-Fakaosilea (Queensland) - have been named in the starting XV to take on Japan.
Another five - Rebel Georgia Cormick, Waratah Arabella McKenzie, Queensland's Lori Cramer and Shannon Mato and South Australian product, Waratahs forward Eva Karpani - have been named on the bench and are likely to get a run at Newcastle's No.2 Sportsground as the Wallaroos hone combinations ahead of a pair of Tests against New Zealand next month.
In a sign of the team's inexperience, just six of the women have 10 caps of more, including captain and no.8 Grace Hamilton.
Head coach Dwayne Nestor said he and his selectors had faced difficult decisions in narrowing down his wider squad for the first Test of the year.
“There was some really tough selections in naming this squad and the competition for places has been intense all week," Nestor said.
“We’ve picked a strong side that rewards form and gives opportunities to new players coming through.
“Alysia, Averyl, Michaela and Ariana have worked incredibly hard in camp with some tough competition for those positions and it’s a credit to them they have earned their first Test cap for Australia.
“Having nine potential debutants is a reflection of how the depth of this squad is growing following on from the second season of Buildcorp Super W, Aon University Sevens and what we have been doing with the national squad."
Nestor said Japan would present a "new challenge" for the Wallaroos, who have not played them since the last World Cup in 2017.
"We can expect them to be a team that wants to recycle the ball quickly to look for space in our defence," Nestor said.
“There’s no doubt they will be looking to disrupt our momentum early and we have to be ready to meet that challenge.
“The team has come together really well and we’re looking forward to returning to the Test arena in Newcastle tomorrow afternoon.”
The Wallaroos take on Japan at Newcastle’s No. 2 Sportsground on Saturday July 13, kicking off at 3pm AEST before a North Sydney Oval Test on Friday July 19 kicking off at 7pm AEST, both LIVE on FOX SPORTS, Kayo Sports and via RUGBY.com.au RADIO. Buy tickets here.
TEAM
Wallaroos to face Japan:
1. Emily Robinson, Warringah, NSW Waratahs Women, 7 caps
2. Averyl Mitchell*, Souths, Queensland Women's XV
3. Evelyn Horomia, Western Sydney, NSW Waratahs Women, 4 caps
4. Michaela Leonard*, Vikings, Brumbies Women
5. Alisha Hewett, GPS/ADFRU, Queensland Women's XV, 17caps
6. Millie Boyle (vc), Royals (Canberra), Queensland Women's XV, 8 caps
7. Emily Chancellor, Sydney University, NSW Waratahs Women, 2 caps
8. Grace Hamilton (c), Sydney University, NSW Waratahs Women, 11 caps
9. Cobie-Jane Morgan, Sunnybank, Queensland Women's XV, 18 caps
10. Trileen Pomare, Kalamunda, Rugby WA Women, 7 caps
11. Mhicca Carter, Cottesloe, Rugby WA Women, 2 caps
12. Ariana Hira-Herangi*, Kalamunda, Rugby WA Women
13. Alysia Lefau-Fakaosilea*, Sunnybank, Queensland Women's XV
14. Samantha Treherne, Sunnybank, Queensland Women's XV, 10 caps
15. Mahalia Murphy, Campbelltown, NSW Waratahs Women, 7 caps
Reserves
16. Ashley Marsters, Harlequins, Melbourne Rebels Women, 6 caps
17. Liz Patu, Queensland Women's XV, 19 caps
18. Eva Karpani*, Randwick, NSW Waratahs Women,
19. Rebecca Clough, Cottesloe, Rugby WA Women, 20 caps
20. Shannon Mato*, Sunnybank, Queensland Women's XV
21. Georgia Cormick,* Powerhouse, Melbourne Rebels Women
22. Arabella McKenzie*, Randwick, NSW Waratahs Women
23. Lori Cramer*, University of Queensland, Queensland Women's XV
