Wallaroos to blood youngsters against world champions

Melissa Woods |

NSW Waratahs winger Amelia Whitaker is set to make her debut with the Wallaroos against England.
NSW Waratahs winger Amelia Whitaker is set to make her debut with the Wallaroos against England.

The Wallaroos have included first-timers Amelia Whitaker and Jemma Bemrose for their stiff challenge against world No.1-ranked England in Salford.

NSW Waratahs winger Whitaker will follow in the footsteps of her scrumhalf uncle, Chris Whitaker, making her Test debut on Saturday (midnight AEST) in the WXV Global Series opener at CorpAcq Stadium.

Queensland Reds captain Bemrose has been named as a reserve lock, with the Australians making five changes to the side following last month’s heavy loss to New Zealand.

Queensland Reds captain Jemma Bemrose
Queensland Reds captain Jemma Bemrose has been named as a reserve lock for the Wallaroos. (Dave Hunt/AAP PHOTOS)

Whitaker, 20, claimed player-of-the-year honours for the NSW Waratahs in July after a stellar Super Rugby Women’s season, while Bemrose, then 22, was last year named the youngest captain in the Queensland team’s history.

“We have picked two debutants in Amelia Whitaker and Jemma Bemrose, who both stepped up in Super Rugby this season, consistently doing their roles and earning their Test call-up ” director of women’s high performance Tim Walsh said.

“As a team we are investing in the future while focusing on the present. We are looking forward to what the world champion English team will throw at us and we are ready to absorb and return with some interest.”

In other team changes, World Cup representatives, outside centre Georgina Friedrichs and prop Faliki Pohiva, return from injury in a double boost, while Caitlyn Halse has reclaimed the fullback spot, with Faitala Moleka shifting to inside centre.

Samantha Wood will partner Waiaria Ellis in the halves, while captain Siokapesi Palu Sekona switches to No.8 and Pia Tapsell at blindslide flanker, with Piper Duck and Tia Hinds moving to the reserves.

The Wallaroos last played the Red Roses in the 2025 World Cup quarter-finals in Bristol, going down 47-7 to bow out of the tournament.

AUSTRALIA: Brianna Hoy, Brittany Merlo, Faliki Pohiva, Kaitlan Leaney, Michaela Leonard, Pia Tapsell, Lily Bone, Siokapesi Palu Sekona (c), Samantha Wood, Waiaria Ellis, Desiree Miller, Faitala Moleka, Georgina Friedrichs, Amelia Whitaker, Caitlyn Halse. Res: Tania Naden, Allana Sikimeti, Eva Karpani, Jemma Bemrose, Piper Duck, Emily Chancellor, Tia Hinds, Cecilia Smith

AAP