The Wallaroos have been forced to leave out star fullback Caitlyn Halse for Saturday’s Test against Scotland at Sydney’s Stadium Australia.
Halse is unavailable for the WXV Global Series Test due to concussion symptoms.
The 20-year-old’s withdrawal is a blow but the Wallaroos have regained experienced winger Maya Stewart, who returns to the starting XV.
Stewart, a 27-Test veteran with the Wallaroos, was named after recovering from an Achilles tendon injury.
Her inclusion sees Desiree Miller move from the wing to fullback in place of Halse.
In the forward pack, captain Siokapesi Palu Sekona and Pia Tapsell swap positions in the back row, starting at blindside flanker and number eight respectively.
Eva Karpani and Cecilia Smith have returned to the match-day squad on the reserves bench, which also features fresh faces Allana Sikimeti and Piper Simons.
“We have maintained considerable selection consistency throughout the WXV, strategically strengthening our cohesion and combinations,” Rugby Australia’s director of women’s high performance, Tim Walsh, said in a statement.
“During the WXV we have layered specific areas of our game to build stronger performances each Test.
“We have selected a balanced 23 armed with leadership, power, strength and speed.”
Wallaroos captain Siokapesi Palu Sekona will play at blindside flanker against Scotland. (Getty Images: Mark Nolan)
The Wallaroos are chasing back-to-back wins over Scotland.
In their most recent Test, the Wallaroos triumphed 30–10 in Edinburgh late last month.
The two sides meet in Sydney and Canberra (October 23) to conclude their WXV Global Series campaigns.
Saturday’s match is part of a rugby “quadruple header” at Stadium Australia.
The Wallabies meet the All Blacks in the final Bledisloe Cup Test, while the Australian women’s and men’s sevens teams are also appearing.
The world champion Australian women’s team plays arch rivals New Zealand, while the men’s squad faces two-time Olympic champions Fiji.
It is the first time all four national rugby teams will be playing on the same match-day schedule.
Wallaroos squad (1-15): Brianna Hoy, Brittany Merlo, Faliki Pohiva, Kaitlan Leaney, Michaela Leonard, Siokapesi Palu Sekona (c), Piper Duck, Pia Tapsell, Samantha Wood, Waiaria Ellis, Amelia Whitaker, Faitala Moleka, Georgina Friedrichs, Maya Stewart, Desiree Miller
Reserves: Tania Naden, Allana Sikimeti, Eva Karpani, Jemma Bemrose, Emily Chancellor, Lily Bone, Piper Simons, Cecilia Smith
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