Legendary Wallaroos prop Liz Patu is set to make history as Jay Tregonning confirms the side to face Japan at Bond University on Tuesday.
Patu will come off the bench for her 25th appearance for the Wallaroos, surpassing Selena Tranter (nee Worsley), Tui Ormsby and Rebecca Clough.
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Tregonning has kept a settled side from Friday's victory over Fijiana, opting for just three changes in the front-row as the entire 23 is retained.
This will see the starting and finishing front rowers from the opening Test of 2022 switch as Madison Schuck, Ashley Marsters and Eva Karpani swap with Patu, Adiana Talakai and Bridie O’Gorman.
“We are coming up against a very organised and clinical Japan side. Watching them last Sunday against the Fijiana, there is no doubt we have a big challenge ahead of us come Tuesday," Tregonning said in a statement.
“While we were impressed by the side performance against the Fijiana, we’ve identified our key work-ons and have addressed them during this short turnaround.”
The match will be a historic occasion as the Wallaroos wear the First Nations kit for the first time in program history.
Along with this, the Wallaroos will be singing the Australian national anthem in the local Yugambeh language.
The Wallaroos will be supported by the Yugambeh Youth Choir, led by founder and director Candace Kruger, with Tregonning proud of the history they will make.
“There is no doubt that Tuesday’s match holds a particular significance for the playing group," he added.
“Receiving the opportunity to wear the First Nations jersey and sing the local rendition of the national anthem has been a key talking point amongst the group all week, so it is going to be quite emotional.”
1. Madison Schuck - Queensland Reds (1 cap)
2. Ashley Marsters – Melbourne Rebels (11 caps)
3. Asoiva (Eva) Karpani – NSW Waratahs (3 caps)
4. Michaela Leonard - Brumbies (4 caps)
5. Kaitlan Leaney – NSW Waratahs (1 cap)
6. Emily Chancellor – NSW Waratahs (7 caps)
7. Shannon Parry (C) - Queensland Reds (13 caps)
8. Grace Hamilton – NSW Waratahs (16 caps)
9. Iliseva Batibasaga – NSW Waratahs (16 caps)
10. Arabella McKenzie – NSW Waratahs (5 caps)
11. Ivania Wong - Queensland Reds (1 cap)
12. Pauline Piliae-Rasabale – NSW Waratahs (1cap)
13. Georgina Friedrichs – NSW Waratahs (1 ca)
14. Mahalia Murphy – NSW Waratahs (12 caps)
15. Lori Cramer - NSW Waratahs (5 caps)
Replacements
16. Adiana Talakai – NSW Waratahs (1 cap)
17. Liz Patu – Queensland Reds (24 caps)
18. Bridie O’Gorman – NSW Waratahs (1 cap)
19. Sera Naiqama – NSW Waratahs (1 cap)
20. Piper Duck – NSW Waratahs (1 cap)
21. Layne Morgan – NSW Waratahs (1 cap)
22. Trilleen Pomare – Western Force (12 caps)
23. Jemima McCalman - Brumbies (1 cap)
1. Saki Minami (c)
2. Nijiho Nagata
3. Yuka Sadaka
4. Kie Tamai
5. Yuna Sato
6. Seino Saito
7. Iroha Nagata
8. Mateitoga Bogidraumainadave
9. Moe Tsuki
10. Ayasa Otsuka
11. Rinka Matsuda
12. Shione Nakayama
13. Mana Furuta
14. Hinano Nagura
15. Ria Anoku
Replacements
16. Hinata Komaki
17. Misaki Suzuki
18. Makoto Lavemai
19. Maki Takano
20. Otoka Yoshimura
21. Kotone Yasuo
22. Kyokoa Hosokawa
23. Komachi Imakugi
