Wallaroos coach Jay Tregonning has confirmed a 32-player squad for the O'Reilly Cup, headlined by the inclusion of exciting duo Maya Stewart and Bienne Terita.
The pair are amongst six uncapped players named for the two-Test series, set to kick off August 20 in Christchurch before heading to Adelaide as part of a double-header with Wallabies-South Africa on August 27.
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Stewart makes a long-awaited return in a training capacity as she continues her recovery from an ACL injury suffered during pre-season training with the Waratahs.
Meanwhile, Terita makes the move from Sevens to the 15-a-side game after debuting for Australia in Malaga during the 2021-22 World Series.
“We’ve learnt a lot from our last tour to New Zealand for the PAC 4 Series and we feel we’ve adjusted this squad accordingly to help us find success in the O'Reilly Cup," Tregonning said in a statement.
“Key players have returned to the side from injury, and we are making steps forward to ensure we have the strongest squad available ahead of the Rugby World Cup in October.
“We are excited to see what Bienne (Terita) can bring to the side, she has been extremely impressive for the Aussie 7s and her speed and ability is a key addition to our already strong set of outside backs."
Reds outside back Melanie Wilks and Brumbies hooker Tania Nadan will be out to make their debuts after their selection in previous Wallaroos squads in 2022.
Waratahs veteran Emily Robinson makes her way back into the Wallaroos set-up, joining potential debutant Bree-Anna Cheatham, Liz Patu, Madison Schuck, Eva Karpani and Bridie O'Gorman in the front-row.
Robinson is joined by club team-mate Atasi Lafai, who returns to the side from injury to bolster the second-row department.
“The team is looking forward to more game time in the O’Reilly Cup to further develop our combinations and chemistry – both away in Christchurch, and at home in Adelaide for the first time as part of a huge double-header with the Wallabies," Tregonning added.
Iliseva Batibasaga (20 caps, NSW Waratahs)
Emily Chancellor (10 caps, NSW Waratahs)
Bree-Anna Cheatham* (Queensland Reds)
Lori Cramer (9 caps, NSW Waratahs)
Piper Duck (5 caps, NSW Waratahs)
Georgina Friedrichs (5 caps, NSW Waratahs)
Grace Hamilton (20 caps, NSW Waratahs)
Eva Karpani (7 caps, NSW Waratahs)
Grace Kemp (1 cap, Brumbies)
Atasi Lafai (2 caps, NSW Waratahs)
Kaitlan Leaney (5 caps, NSW Waratahs)
Michaela Leonard (9 caps, Brumbies)
Ashley Marsters (15 caps, Melbourne Rebels)
Arabella McKenzie (9 caps, NSW Waratahs)
Layne Morgan (5 caps, NSW Waratahs)
Mahalia Murphy (16 caps, NSW Waratahs)
Tania Naden* (Brumbies)
Sera Naiqama (3 caps, NSW Waratahs)
Bridie O'Gorman (5 caps, NSW Waratahs)
Siokapesi Palu* (Brumbies)
Shannon Parry (17 caps, Queensland Reds)
Liz Patu (28 caps, Queensland Reds)
Pauline Piliae-Rasabale (5 caps, NSW Waratahs)
Trilleen Pomare (16 caps, Western Force)
Emily Robinson (11 caps, NSW Waratahs)
Madison Schuck (5 caps, Queensland Reds)
Cecilia Smith (3 caps, Queensland Reds)
Maya Stewart* (NSW Waratahs)
Adiana Talakai (3 caps, NSW Waratahs)
Bienne Terita* (Australian Sevens)
Melanie Wilks* (Queensland Reds)
Ivania Wong (3 caps, Queensland Reds)
*denotes uncapped
