Injury rules flanker Duck out of Wallaroos tour

Piper Duck's bad luck with injury has continued with the star Wallaroos flanker to miss their tour of Ireland and Wales and the WXV 2 tournament in South Africa.

The 23-year-old missed a chunk of playing time in 2023, named Test captain but never taking the field due to a Lisfranc foot injury.

After undergoing ankle surgery last week the Waratahs ace is among forced changes from the Australian line-up that took part in the July Test block.

Coach Jo Yapp announced the 30-player tour squad on Monday, with young prop Allana Sikimeti and hooker Brittany Merlo also ruled out through injury.

Uncapped trio Lucy Dinnen, Ashley Fernandez and Tiarah Minns come into the tour while veteran forward Sally Fuesaina has been recalled.

Fernandez was part of the Pacific Four series campaign but did not play a game while Minns returns after injury.

Halfback Dinnen will be eyeing a Test debut after previously being included in extended squads.

“We are looking forward to playing against different teams in the second half of our season with next year’s Rugby World Cup our long-term focus," Yapp said.

“The ability to travel overseas for most of our squad is a new experience and the upcoming matches against Ireland and Wales provides us with valuable match time before WXV in South Africa.

“We have had to make a few forced changes to the travelling squad due to injury which is disappointing, but we are also focused on those next in line and bringing out the best in them.”

The squad boasts experience, led by captain Michaela Leonard and vice-captain Trilleen Pomare, who have more than 50 Test caps between them.

The Wallaroos depart for Belfast on September 6, playing against Ireland on September 14 before shifting to Wales for a Test match in Wales on September 20.

Yapp's side will again clash with Wales in the opening round of WXV in Cape Town before matches against South Africa and Scotland.

Wallaroos: Lori Cramer, Biola Dawa, Lucy Dinnen, Ashley Fernandez, Georgina Friedrichs, Sally Fuesaina, Caitlyn Halse, Brianna Hoy, Eva Karpani, Lydia Kavoa, Atasi Lafai, Kaitlan Leaney, Michaela Leonard (c), Ashley Marsters, Arabella McKenzie, Desiree Miller, Tiarah Minns, Faitala Moleka,
Tiarna Molloy, Layne Morgan, Tania Naden, Leilani Nathan, Alapeta Ngauamo, Bridie O'Gorman, Siokapesi Palu, Trilleen Pomare, Cecilia Smith, Maya Stewart, Tabua Tuinakauvadra, Natalie Wright.

License this article

What is AAPNews?

For the first time, Australian Associated Press is delivering news straight to the consumer.

No ads. No spin. News straight-up.

Not only do you get to enjoy high-quality news delivered straight to your desktop or device, you do so in the knowledge you are supporting media diversity in Australia.

AAP Is Australia’s only independent newswire service, free from political and commercial influence, producing fact-based public interest journalism across a range of topics including politics, courts, sport, finance and entertainment.

What is AAPNews?
The Morning Wire

Wake up to AAPNews’ morning news bulletin delivered straight to your inbox or mobile device, bringing you up to speed with all that has happened overnight at home and abroad, as well as setting you up what the day has in store.

AAPNews Morning Wire
AAPNews Breaking News
Breaking News

Be the first to know when major breaking news happens.


Notifications will be sent to your device whenever a big story breaks, ensuring you are never in the dark when the talking points happen.

Focused Content

Enjoy the best of AAP’s specialised Topics in Focus. AAP has reporters dedicated to bringing you hard news and feature content across a range of specialised topics including Environment, Agriculture, Future Economies, Arts and Refugee Issues.

AAPNews Focussed Content
Subscription Plans

Choose the plan that best fits your needs. AAPNews offers two basic subscriptions, all billed monthly.

Once you sign up, you will have seven days to test out the service before being billed.

AAPNews Full Access Plan
Full Access
AU$10
  • Enjoy all that AAPNews has to offer
  • Access to breaking news notifications and bulletins
  • Includes access to all AAPNews’ specialised topics
Join Now
AAPNews Student Access Plan
Student Access
AU$5
  • Gain access via a verified student email account
  • Enjoy all the benefits of the ‘Full Access’ plan at a reduced rate
  • Subscription renews each month
Join Now
AAPNews Annual Access Plan
Annual Access
AU$99
  • All the benefits of the 'Full Access' subscription at a discounted rate
  • Subscription automatically renews after 12 months
Join Now

AAPNews also offers enterprise deals for businesses so you can provide an AAPNews account for your team, organisation or customers. Click here to contact AAP to sign-up your business today.

SEVEN DAYS FREE
Download the app
Download AAPNews on the App StoreDownload AAPNews on the Google Play Store