Former gymnast Waiaria Ellis is set to become the second youngest Test debutante in Wallaroos history after being named to face New Zealand as the Australian team continues their World Cup build-up.
The 17-year-old has been included on the wing as the Wallaroos look to snap a 28-game winning streak by the Black Ferns when the teams meet in Wellington on Saturday.
The Wallaroos have been edging closer to a maiden victory over the world champions, losing their May encounter in Newcastle 38-12.
At 17 years and 305 days, Ellis falls short of the previous record set last year by Wallaroos teammate Caitlyn Halse (17 years and 242 days), and joins 18-year-old Ruby Anderson in a trio of teens to have debuted in the last 12 months under coach Jo Yapp.
A former junior Australian representative gymnast, Ellis started her rugby journey with the Blacktown Scorpions in 2022 and has come through the state and national system in both sevens and XVs.
"We're all really pleased for Waiaria, she has been involved in our camps for a while now and came out with us to WXV in South Africa last year," Yapp said.
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"She has an excellent skillset and her youthfulness has a great effect on the playing group. We are confident in her ability to take the next step at this level."
Lock Annabelle Codey will play her first Test match in 631 days - coincidently at the same venue she played her last - after being included on the bench while backrower Piper Duck is in line for her first Test since July last year.
Halfback Samantha Wood (back) and prop Lydia Kavoa (calf) are also on the bench after returning from injury through the Australia A side.
Former sevens star Charlotte Caslick will start at outside centre with Georgina Friedrichs (personal reasons) unavailable, while Tia Hinds will start at flyhalf with Faitala Moleka switching to fullback.
Faliki Pohiva and Tania Naden are back in the starting front row.
Following the New Zealand Test, the Wallaroos host Wales on July 26 in Brisbane and August 1 at North Sydney Oval.
A squad of 32 will then be selected for the World Cup, departing for the United Kingdom on August 11 with their first match against Samoa on August 23 in Manchester.
Wallaroos: Faliki Pohiva, Tania Naden, Bridie O'Gorman, Kaitlan Leaney, Michaela Leonard, Siokapesi Palu (c), Ashley Marsters, Tabua Tuinakauvadra, Layne Morgan, Tia Hinds, Desiree Miller, Trilleen Pomare, Charlotte Caslick, Waiaria Ellis, Faitala Moleka. Res: Adiana Talakai, Lydia Kavoa, Asoiva (Eva) Karpani, Annabelle Codey, Piper Duck, Emily Chancellor, Samantha Wood, Cecilia Smith.
Melissa Woods - AAP
