Buildcorp Wallaroos head coach Jay Tregonning has named his side to face England on Friday in the opening match of the WXV1 tournament at Sky Stadium in Wellington.
NSW Waratahs 23-year-old prop Brianna Hoy will make her Wallaroos debut as one of six changes made to the starting XV from the team’s previous Test match in Hamilton joining Waratahs prop Eva Karpani.
The Coffs Harbour native is named to start at loosehead prop in place of Bree-Anna Cheatham who moves to the bench.
“I’m excited for Brianna. She has been working hard at improving her skill set since being included in the managed group after Super W this year,” Tregonning said.
“She has earnt the opportunity this Friday to pull on the gold jersey for the first time which is really exciting.”
Waratah Layne Morgan retains her spot at halfback.
On the bench, Atasi Lafai makes her return to the matchday squad for the first time in over a year, having suffered a serious ankle injury during last year’s Rugby World Cup campaign.
“We know England are a strong outfit but we’re ready for the challenge ahead,” Tregonning said.
“This week, our mindset has been about making sure we stay in the fight and we want to produce an encouraging performance to kick off the WXV1 campaign.”
The match will be shown live, ad-free, and on-demand on Stan Sport.
- Brianna Hoy - uncapped
- Tania Naden – 6 caps
- Eva Karpani – 17 caps
- Michaela Leonard (c) – 18 caps
- Annabelle Codey – 4 caps
- Siokapesi Palu – 3 caps
- Emily Chancellor – 19 caps
- Kaitlan Leaney – 11 caps
- Layne Morgan – 15 caps
- Carys Dallinger – 3 caps
- Ivania Wong – 8 caps
- Arabella McKenzie – 18 caps
- Georgina Friedrichs – 15 caps
- Maya Stewart – 5 caps
- Faitala Moleka – 2 caps
- Adiana Talakai – 12 caps
- Bree-Anna Cheatham – 5 caps
- Emily Robinson – 21 caps
- Atasi Lafai – 6 caps
- Ashley Marsters – 23 caps
- Sarah Dougherty – uncapped
- Cecilia Smith – 8 caps
- Desiree Miller – uncapped
Wallaroos v England, 5:00pm (AEDT), Friday 20 October, Sky Stadium, Wellington
Wallaroos v France, 5:00pm (AEDT), Saturday 28 October, Forsyth Barr Stadium, Dunedin
Wallaroos v Wales, 5:00pm (AEDT), Friday 3 November, Mount Smart Stadium, Auckland
