A FREAK training accident has ruled star centre Sarah Riordan out of the Wallaroos team to play the Black Ferns in Saturday’s women’s rugby Test at Sydney’s ANZ Stadium.

Riordan, an Australian vice captain, would have been one of the first names down on coach Dwayne Nestor’s team sheet but was unable to overcome an ankle injury suffered at training on Wednesday.

Rugby.com.au reported that Riordan was hurt as the Wallaroos enjoyed lighthearted celebrations after a crossbar kicking challenge at the end of training.

It is unclear whether the powerful Riordan — a star at last year’s World Cup — will be fit for the second Test against world champions New Zealand at Auckland’s Eden Park on August 25.

Riordan’s misfortune has opened the door for Crystal Maguire to make her Test debut and she will start at inside centre.

Maguire is one of nine Test rookies in the Wallaroos squad with Emily Chancellor, Georgia O’Neill, Atasi Lafai and Mhicca Carter also in the starting lineup and Darryl Wickliffe, Melissa Fatu, Alice Tonumaivao and Shanice Parker on the bench.

New Zealand have named five rookies in their squad.
Hooker Liz Patu will captain Australia for the first time.

“We’ve had a really excellent buildup to our first match of 2018 and the team is chomping at the bit to get out there and play some rugby,” Nestor said.

“I’ve been really impressed with how this team has taken on the detail of the way we want to play and physically worked hard over the last few months.

“It’s all come together in camp quite well.

“It was really disappointing to lose Sarah Riordan to injury yesterday, but from injury comes an opportunity for Crystal Maguire to show what she can do in the centres.

“This match is going to be incredibly tough, but it’s a challenge we are really looking forward to.”

New Zealand won last year’s fixture 44-17 in Christchurch.

The average scoreline in trans-Tasman Tests since the first in 1994 is 35-7.

The first meeting of the teams on Australian since 2008 will be followed by the men’s Bledisloe Cup Test.

WALLAROOS (15-1): Mahalia Murphy, Mhicca Carter, Atasi Lafai, Crystal Maguire, Samantha Treherne, Trileen Pomare, Cobie-Jane Morgan, Grace Hamilton, Georgia O’Neill, Emily Chancellor, Rebecca Clough, Michelle Milward, Evelyn Horomia, Liz Patu (c), Emily Robinson

Reserves: Darryl Wickliffe, Melissa Fatu, Hana Ngaha, Alisha Hewett, Kiri Lingman, Alice Tonumaivao, Fenella Hake, Shanice Parker