The Women’s Rugby World Cup 2025 is kicking off this weekend, and is set to be the biggest and best yet. As the group stages commence, Pool A includes hosts and world number one England, as well as the USA, Samoa and Australia.

The Wallaroos are second best ranked in this pool, above the USA and Samoa, and will be hoping to consolidate their upper-hand advantage to progress to the knockout rounds. 

Who are the Wallaroos?

The Wallaroos is the nickname given to the Australian women’s national rugby team, which was officially established in 1993.

Australia has participated in every Women’s Rugby World Cup since 1998, although they have never managed to reach a World Cup final. Currently ranked sixth in the world, the Wallaroos will be looking to prove their might, after their success at their last international competition the WXV 2 in 2024 where they were undefeated.

In the warm-up matches, Australia have had mixed results, suffering a loss to reigning champions the Black Ferns 37 – 12, as well as losing for the first time in history to Wales 21 -12. However, on a separate occasion they were able to convincingly beat the Dragons 36 -5, and also emerged victorious against their Pacific neighbours Samoa 50 – 22, who are also in Pool A.

This means that although Australia will have a tough fight in their pool, facing world number one’s England as well as the USA and Samoa, they will be hoping to build upon their warm-up matches to more consistent shows of power. 

The Australian World Cup 2025 squad

The 32 man squad heading to England is one of the most experienced Australian sides in recent memory, as 17 members of the 2022 squad return. Amongst them are Ashley Marsters and Trilleen Pomare, who are both set to attend their third World Cups.

On the other end of the spectrum, 14 athletes will be experiencing a World Cup for the first time, including 18 year olds Caitlyn Halse and Waiaria Ellis, who are both set to break the record for the youngest Australians to attend a World Cup, shattering the previous record of 19 years and 82 days.

Centre Siokapesi Palu, who won Super Rugby’s Women’s Player of the Year in 2024, is captaining the side, having also attended the 2022 World Cup in New Zealand. Palu was injured in the Wallaroos’ warm-up match against New Zealand at the beginning of July, although she has been deemed fit enough to compete in the tournament.

However, head coach Jo Yapp’s original plans have been foiled by other injuries, as Charlotte Caslick – who brought significant expertise to the squad as an Olympic gold medalist and Seven’s Rugby World Cup winner – was withdrawn from the competition after injuring her ankle against New Zealand.

Full Australia World Cup squad

Forwards:

Katalina Amosa, Bree-Anna Browne, Annabelle Codey, Emily Chancellor, Piper Duck, Ashley Fernandez, Brianna Hoy, Asoiva Karpani, Lydia Kavoa, Kaitlan Leaney, Michaela Leonard, Ashley Marsters, Tania Naden, Bridie O’Gorman, Siokapesi Palu (captain), Faliki Pohiva, Adiana Talakai, Tabua Tuinakauvadra.

Backs:

Lori Cramer, Waiaria Ellis, Georgina Friedrichs, Caitlyn Halse, Tia Hinds, Desiree Miller, Faitala Moleka, Manu’a Moleka, Layne Morgan, Trilleen Pomare, Cecilia Smith, Maya Stewart, Caitlin Urwin, Samantha Wood

Where to watch Australia?

Australia will face Samoa in the first of their group matches at Salford Community Centre in Manchester on Saturday, August 23. Their match kicks off at midday and will be streamed and available on catchup on BBC.

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