A fresh look for the NSW Waratahs Women’s teams ahead of their second round of the Super W season.
Waratahs Head Coach Campbell Aitken has made three changes to the starting XV. He has also included three debutants and a Wallaroo to round up the match day 23.
Last Friday the Tahs put on a stellar performance against the Force and Aitken’s team will look to continue their red-hot form against the Brumbies this Saturday at 5:05 pm.
After making her debut off the bench last week, Katalina Amosa has moved into the starting front row where she will be joined by Bridie O’Gorman and Brianna Hoy.
Rosie Ebbage and Leilani Nathan partner in the second row after their debuts last Friday. Meanwhile, Fi Jones and Grace Hamilton keep the chemistry alive in the back row with last week's player of the match Piper Duck.
Layne Morgan and Ella Ryan are back in the halves after a great first performance together.
Last week's try scorer Katrina Barker team’s up with Wallaroo’s Player of the Year and wrecking ball Georgina Friedrichs in the centres.
Try scoring machine Maya Stewart is back on the wing after another incredible performance, her try last week made her the first NSW Waratah player to reach 20 tries and 100 career points. Aitken has made another change with Desiree Miller making her way into the starting side, whilst the Tahs youngest debutant Caitlyn Halse returns at Fullback.
Brittany Merlo looks to make her debut at Hooker for the Waratahs this weekend, she will have plenty of experience at scrum time with two Wallaroos on either side of her.
Eva Karpani makes her return for 2023, she will be looking to make a big impact off the bench with fellow teammate Emily Robinson, who dominated the scrum contest in round one. Ana-Lise Sio moves to the bench with youngster Bronte Wilson.
Tatum Bird returns after a stint in Ireland over the pre-season. She is joined by two debutants Claudia Meltzer and Bathurst girl Jacinta Windsor.
The Brumbies clashed with the reigning premiers in the first round and fell short by 5 points, Aitken’s women are prepared for a battle at GIO Stadium but are confident in their abilities to get over the line.
Team
- Brianna Hoy – 3 caps
- Katalina Amosa – 1 cap
- Bridie O'Gorman – 15 caps
- Leilani Nathan – 1 cap
- Rosie Ebbage – 1 cap
- Grace Hamilton - 24 caps
- Fi Jones - 15 caps
- Piper Duck – 12 caps
- Layne Morgan - 14 caps
- Ella Ryan - 1 cap
- Desiree Miller – 1 cap
- Katrina Barker – 21 caps
- Georgina Friedrichs – 13 caps
- Maya Stewart – 13 caps
- Caitlyn Halse – 1 cap
- Brittany Merlo – Debut
- Emily Robinson - 21 caps
- Eva Karpani – 14 caps
- Ana-Lise Sio – 13 caps
- Bronte Wilson – 1 cap
- Tatum Bird – 5 caps
- Claudia Meltzer – Debut
- Jacinta Windsor – Debut
