Rugby Australia has confirmed an Australia A women’s side will travel to Samoa to face their national side on September 16 at Apia Park.
The match comes in partnership with Lakapi Samoa and the Australian government along with PacificAus Sports as the Australians get the chance to impress against the 18th-ranked Samoans, the first time Australia A will face them.
It’s a mix of youth and experience in the squad with 16-year-old Waiaria Ellis continuing her meteoric rise after her selection for her first taste of international Rugby.
Ellis became the joint youngest player to play for the Waratahs in 2024 and has impressed Wallaroos coach Jo Yapp during her time with the main squad over the past weeks.
“She’s been training with us and she’s such a young and exciting prospect,” Yapp told Rugby.com.au.
“To see her in that programme is going to be really cool.”
The Australia A squad is stacked with talent, including the return of all-time Wallaroos cap leader Liz Patu.
Reigning Rugby Australia rookie of the year Carys Dallinger and experienced trio Sera Naiqama, Annabelle Codey and Katrina Barker are amongst several in the squad with Test experience.
Recent Test debutants Samantha Wood and Hera-Barb Malcolm Heke have also been included, with Yapp opting to ease Wood back into action as the young scrumhalf overcomes a back issue.
Brumbies scrumhalf Jasmin Huriwai will make her return from injury as Wallaroos centre Melanie Wilks adds an X-Factor to the backline following her success for Bond University in the Queensland Premier Womens Grand Final.
“Securing the Australia A opportunity is critical to providing more of our players with international rugby experience. When combined with the team playing in the upcoming World Rugby WXV2 tournament, 56 players will be actively engaged in international fixtures throughout 2024, growing the depth of our talent pool,” National Women’s High Performance Manager at Rugby Australia, Jaime Fernandez said.
“Continuing to provide opportunities such as this is an important pathway and engagement activity for players, highlighting the global game that is Rugby.”
“The Manusina and Australia A fixture is an excellent opportunity for our Manusina to prepare for the key fixtures at WXV in Dubai in our efforts to qualify for the Women’s Rugby World Cup in 2025,” Lakapi Samoa CEO, Faleomavaega Vincent Fepulea’i added.
“Having a first-class fixture in Samoa greatly boosts our women’s game.
“We want to acknowledge the support of the Australian Government through PacificAus Sports in making this fixture a reality; without this fixtures, it would have been extremely tough for Manusina to have some meaningful competition before attempting to qualify for the Women’s Rugby World Cup, and it is great that it will be here in Samoa.”
Australian Minister for International Development and the Pacific, Pat Conroy said rugby has long brought Samoa and Australia together, as competitors on the field, and real friends off it.
“Australia is proud to partner with Rugby Australia and Lakapi Samoa through PacificAusSports to support a historic women’s match between Manusina and Australia A in Apia on 16 September,” Conroy said on X.
Australia A squad to face Manusina in Apia, Samoa
Annabelle Codey (Eastern Suburbs)
Ashlea Bishop (Canberra Royals)
Brooklyn Teki Joyce (West Scarborough)
Caitlin Urwin (University of Queensland)
Carys Dallinger (Easts Tigers Brisbane)
Deni Ross (Wests Bulldogs)
Faliki Pohiva (Manly Mermaids)
Gabrielle Peterson (Tuggeranong Vikings)
Georgia Chapple (Hunter Wildfires)
Hera-Barb Malcolm Heke (Kalamunda District Rugby Club)
Hollie Cameron (Sydney University)
Jasmin Huriwai (Queanbeyan Whites)
Katrina Barker (Warringah Rats)
Lily Bone (Queanbeyan Whites)
Liz Patu (Wests Bulldogs)
Loretta Mailangi (Gunghalin Eagles)
Martha Fua (Gungahlin Eagles)
Melanie Wilks (Bond University)
Nancy Volkman (Sydney University)
Rosie Ebbage (Easts Tigers Brisbane)
Ruby Anderson (Sydney University)
Samantha Wood (Kalamunda District Rugby Club)
Saxbii Shaw (Dubbo Roos)
Sera Naiqama (Sydney University)
Skye Churchill (Eastern Suburbs)
Waiaria Ellis (Manly Mermaids).
