'It's crazy': Gun teen makes Rugby World Cup history as Australia coach springs captaincy surprise
Updated . First published at
NSW fullback Caitlyn Halse will make history on Saturday as the youngest Australian to play at a Women's Rugby World Cup.
Halse, 18, has been named to start against Samoa at Salford Community Stadium and will break the record set by Millie Boyle as a 19-year-old in 2017.
It will be Halse's 12th Test for the Wallaroos since making her debut last year.
Watch every match of the Women's Rugby World Cup 2025 streaming live and on-demand on Stan Sport with Wallaroos matches also live on the 9Network and 9Now
Caitlyn Halse of the Wallaroos runs with the ball. Getty
"She's had a lot of game time and you kind of forget her age because she's just been around the group for what feels like a long time now," Australia coach Jo Yapp said.
"She's obviously grown with confidence and you can just see her really developing and her ability now to overcome mistakes when she makes them on the field. There's just been a real growth in her."
Australia, ranked sixth in the world, are heavy favourites against world No.15 Samoa.
READ MORE: Mystery as police probe into Hulk Hogan death continues
READ MORE: 'Laughable' sanction under fire amid Rankine fallout
READ MORE: Records tumbling before era-defining World Cup kicks off
But Yapp is taking no chances, paying Samoa respect by naming a full strength side.
Captain Siokapesi Palu (foot) remains sidelined and Yapp sprung a surprise by electing to name Kaitlan Leaney as co-captain alongside Emily Chancellor.
Leaney has not led her country before.
Kaitlan Leaney of Australia celebrates at Forsyth Barr Stadium. Getty
"I actually had a missed call from Jo and then I had a text when I was out for coffee with a friend, and I was like, 'oh, crap, what's this about? Better give her a call back!' I didn't really know what to expect," Leaney said.
"Then Jo told me she'd spoken to Chance and thought that it would be a good opportunity for me to learn off her and have this co-captaincy together.
"It's crazy. This experience is a lot different to my first World Cup. I didn't play a game, so now having the captaincy next to my name, it's something I don't take for granted."
The Wallaroos have only played Samoa once before, thrashing them 87-0 in 2010.
Australia A beat Samoa 50-22 in Canberra this year.
"Samoa is a very physical side, they've got a few New Zealand-based players that are joining in for this World Cup, so they might have a few new players in there that we haven't come across yet," Leaney said.
"They want to play fast, they had that offload game, just like New Zealand, we're definitely going to have to front up in the physicality aspect.
"We're looking to play fast and be really connected in both attack and defence."
The Wallaroos' best World Cup finish was third in 2010.
Sevens gold medallist Alicia Lucas will lead Stan Sport's exclusive Australian coverage, joined by Nat Yoannidis and former Wallaroos star Kiri Barker.
Lauren Jenkins will be reporting from the sidelines in England with Andrew Swain providing commentary.
England open the tournament against the United States on Saturday (4.30am AEST) with the Wallaroos kicking off at 9pm.
NEW PODCAST! Will Skelton has proved pivotal to Wallabies success but how much longer will he be able to play for the national side?
WALLAROOS (1-15): Faliki Pohiva, Katalina Amosa, Asoiva Karpani, Kaitlan Leaney (co-c), Michaela Leonard, Piper Duck, Emily Chancellor (co-c), Tabua Tuinakauvadra, Samantha Wood, Faitala Moleka, Desiree Miller, Cecilia Smith, Georgina Friedrichs, Maya Stewart, Caitlyn Halse
Reserves: Adiana Talakai, Brianna Hoy, Bridie O'Gorman, Ashley Fernandez, Ashley Marsters, Layne Morgan, Tia Hinds, Lori Cramer
