Pool A will see a pacific face off for their second match of the group rounds as Australia face Samoa in Manchester.
Salford Community centre will see the world number five’s the Wallaroos battle Samoa, who haven’t qualified for a World Cup since 2014.
The teams last faced each other during a warm-up match, where the Wallaroos emerged victorious with a35 50 - 22 score at full time.
The Sporting News runs through the latest team news and injury updates for both sides as the match draws nearer.
Australia vs. Samoa starting XV, team news.
Currently ranked sixth in the world, the Wallaroos will be hoping to build off the back fo their success in the WXV 2 in 2024, a competition where they were entirely undefeated.
However, it will be a tough ask, especially as Australia has never managed to reach a World Cup final, despite having participated in every one since 1998.
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They have had mixed results in the warm-up matches, suffering losses to the Black Ferns and Wales. However, they pulled off strong performances against Wales on a separate occasion, and Samoa, and will be hopefully improving on these.
Australia will be breaking records today, as 18 year old fullback Caitlyn Haise has been named in the starting XV, making her the youngest Wallaroo to go to a World Cup.
On the other side of the spectrum, the squad also includes captain Siokapesi Palu, back from injury after the last warm-up match against New Zealand. The centre, who won Super Rugby’s Women’s Player of the Year in 2024, will be a key part of Australia’s arsenal, especially since legendary Charlotte Caslick was removed from the squad following injury during the same match.
Australia starting XV:
15 - Haise, 14 - Steward, 13 - Friedrichs, 12 - Smith, 11 - Miller, 10 - Moleka, 9 - Wood, 1 - Pohiva, 2 - Amosa, 3 - Karpani, 4 - Leaney, 5 - Leonard, 6 - Duck, 7 - Chancellor, 8 - Tuinakauvadra
Full Australia 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
Injured: none
Suspended: none
With the entire team appearing at their first World Cup, this tournament represents a huge amount for Samoa, returning to the international stage after 11 years.
However, they have enjoyed success in the Oceania Championship, winning for the first time ever, and promising some powerful performances in the group stages.
Samoa have lost both of their warm-up matches to Australia and Fiji, and will be hoping to improve on these performances.
Five of their players will be earning their first international caps in Manchester: centres Keilamarita Pouri-Lane and Madisen-Jade Iva, second rows Demielle Onesemo-Tuilaepa and JayJay Taylor, and hooker Faith Nonutunu.
Captain Sui Tuauaua-Pauarausa will be bringing much needed experience and expertise as the most capped athlete with 24 caps, alongside Nina Foaese with 23.
All eyes will be on Sinead Ryder, the back row who played in the New Zealand domestic set up and is renowned for her incredibly physical, impactful play.
Samoa starting XV:
15 - Wright-Akeli, 14 - Aumua, 13 - Pouri-Lane, 12 - Makisi, 11 - Falaniko, 10 - Vatau, 9 - Afuie, 1 - Mamea, 2 - Filimaua, 3 - Aiono, 4 - Sio, 5 - Onesemo-Tuilaepa, 6 - Ryder, 7 - Pauaraisa (c), 8 - Atonio
Full Samoa squad
Forwards: Denise Aiolupotea, Glory Aiono, Utuma Iama Atonio, Joanna Fanene Lolo, Avau Filimaua, Nina Foaese, Tori Iosefo, Madisen-Jade Jamie Iva, Lulu Leuta, Ana Mamea, Faith Nonutunu, Demielle Onesemo-Tuilaepa, Christabelle Onosemo-Tuilaepa, Sui Pauaraisa, Sinead Ryder, Ana-Lise Sio, Ti Tauasosi, JayJay Taylor
Backs: Ana Afuie, Lutia Col Aumua, Michelle Curry, Drena Falaniko, Linda Fiafia, Davina Lasini, Saelua Leaula, Fa’asua Makisi, Taytana Pati Ah-Cheung, Keilamarita Pouri-Lane, Melina Grace Salale, Faalua Tugaga, Harmony Vatau, Karla Wright-Akeli
Injured: none
Suspended: none
Australia vs Samoa score predictions
The pacific face-off is sure to be eventful, but given the result of the last warm-up match between the two, Samoa will have to pull out all the stops.
Score Prediction: England 35 - 15 USA
How to watch Australia vs Samoa: Live stream, TV channel
All of the Women’s World Cup matches will be broadcast live on the BBC and on England Rugby’s YouTube. Australia versus Samoa will take place today, August 23, at midday GMT.
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