Wallaroos name 11 debutants

WALLAROOS coach Jay Tregonning has named 11 debutants for Friday’s first Test of 2022 against Fijiana at Suncorp Stadium.

Former Sevens star Georgina Friedrichs headlines the new faces, coming into the centres alongside fellow Waratah Pauline Piliae.

They are amongst 15 Waratahs named in the squad, rewarded for their strong showing in Super W, with Tregonning looking to usher in a new era for the program as they embark on the ‘Road to New Zealand’

Queensland Reds flyer Ivania Wong’s impressive form saw her named on the wing, joined by Mahalia Murphy and Lori Cramer in the back three.

Waratahs duo Adiana Talakai and Bridie O’Gorman have been named to start in the front-row along with the experienced Liz Patu, with Waratah teammate Kaitlan Leaney partnering Michaela Leonard to round out the tight five.

Shannon Parry will lead the side from openside flanker, forming an imposing back-row alongside Emily Chancellor and Grace Hamilton. Queensland prop Madison Schuck is amongst five names in line for their debut off the bench, with the 30-year-old producing several standout performances during Super W.

Wallaroos mainstay Sera Naiqama is in line for a long-awaited debut, with Waratahs team-mates Piper Duck, Layne Morgan and Brumbies flyer Jemima McCalman rounding out the new faces on the bench.

It will mark the first time the Wallaroos will wear the iconic gold jersey, which pays homage to the World Cup-winning side of 1991. Team: 1. Liz Patu, 2. Adiana Talakai, 3. Bridie O’Gorman, 4. Michaela Leonard, 5. Kaitlan Leaney, 6.Emily Chancellor, 7. Shannon Parry (C), 8. Grace Hamilton, 9. Iliseva Batibasaga, 10. Arabella McKenzie, 11. Ivania Wong, 12. Pauline Piliae, 13. Georgina Friedrichs, 14. Mahalia Murphy, 15. Lori Cramer. Replacements: 16. Ashley Marsters, 17. Madison Schuck, 18. Asoiva (Eva) Karpani, 19. Sera Naiqama, 20. Piper Duck, 21. Layne Morgan, 22. Trilleen Pomare, 23. Jemima McCalman ■ RUGBY.COM.AU