Written by Lachlan Grey on Sep 13, 2024 04:30 AM, courtesy of rugby.com.au. Source article.
Highly touted teenager Waiaria Ellis will make her case for a Wallaroos call-up after being named at fullback for Australia A’s historic clash with Samoa next week.
Wallaroos duo Annabelle Codey (captain) and Samantha Wood (vice captain) will lead the side but it’s the elevation of Ellis, 16, that should have tongues wagging.
A former age-grade gymnastics champion, Ellis shot to prominence off the back of her cross-code exploits before excelling in her debut season with Super Rugby Women’s champions NSW Waratahs.
Ellis went on to earn selection in this year’s wider Wallaroos squad under Jo Yapp and will taste senior international rugby for the first time next Monday outside Test quartet Wood, Carys Dallinger, Katrina Barker and Melanie Wilks.
Elsewhere, Wallaroos all-time cap leader Liz Patu returns to international rugby alongside Test forwards Sera Naiqama, Hera-Barb Malcom Heke and captain Codey in the starting pack.
In a boost to Australia’s playmaking stocks, livewire halfback Jasmin Huriwai has also been named on an extended bench for her return to international rugby.
Australia A’s upcoming clash with Manusina is made possible by PacificAus Sports, an Australian Government sports diplomacy initiative developing pathways for Pacific teams and athletes to compete in elite competitions and access high performance coaching in Australia and internationally.
Australia A team to face Manusina in Apia, Samoa on Monday 16 September at 3pm local time (12pm AEST, 10am AWST). 1. Liz Patu (Wests Bulldogs)
2. Hera-Barb Malcom Heke (Kalamunda District Rugby Club)
3. Faliki Pohiva (Manly Mermaids)
4. Sera Naiqama (Sydney University)
5. Deni Ross (Wests Bulldogs)
6. Ruby Anderson (Sydney University)
7. Skye Churchill (Eastern Suburbs)
8. Annabelle Codey (Eastern Suburbs)
9. Samantha Wood (Kalamunda District Rugby Club)
10. Carys Dallinger (Easts Tigers Brisbane)
11. Ashlea Bishop (Canberra Royals)
12. Katrina Barker (Warringah Rats)
13. Melanie Wilks (Bond University)
14. Caitlin Urwin (University of Queensland)
15. Waiaria Ellis (Manly Mermaids)
Reserves
16. Loretta Mailangi (Gunghalin Eagles)
17. Siusiuosalafai Volkman (Sydney University)
18. Georgia Chapple (Hunter Wildfires)
19. Rosie Ebbage (Easts Tigers Brisbane)
20. Hollie Cameron (Sydney University)
21. Martha Fua (Gunghalin Eagles)
22. Lily Bone (Queanbeyan Whites)
23. Jasmin Huriwai (Queanbeyan Whites)
24. Saxbii Shaw (Dubbo Roos)
25. Brooklyn Teki Joyce (West Scarborough)
26. Gabrielle Petersen (Tuggeranong Vikings)
