Eva Karpani to reach 50 Wallaroos Test caps on Friday
Eva Karpani will reach 50 Test caps when she plays Scotland on Friday, as two teammates retire.
Wallaroos prop Eva Karpani, 30, will achieve her 50th Test cap when substituted on in Friday's match against Scotland at GIO Stadium in Canberra. Only Michaela Leonard has previously reached that milestone for Australia's women's rugby team.
Karpani missed the Wallaroos' Edinburgh win last month with a back injury but returned off the bench in Sydney to score a try in a 56-12 victory. The milestone comes amid significant change in the squad: Emily Chancellor, with 42 caps, and Cecilia Smith, with 34 caps, are both retiring after Friday's match.
The Wallaroos snapped a six-game losing streak with their recent win and have never lost to Scotland. Karpani reflected on her journey through years when the team played just two to four Test matches annually, and endured COVID-19 seasons without any games.
- 30 years old
- Karpani's age
- 50th cap
- Test cap milestone
- Michaela Leonard
- Previous milestone holder
- Chancellor 42, Smith 34
- Retiring teammate caps
Why it mattersKarpani's milestone reflects the growth of women's rugby in Australia, where Test frequency has increased significantly, while the simultaneous retirements mark a transitional moment for the team.
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