Australian Rugby Union today announced a squad of 26 players to compete in the upcoming Tri-Nations tournament to be held in June against New Zealand and Canada, with 15 uncapped players vying to represent Australia for the first time.
Members of the squad will be looking to impress national selectors in the Tri-Nations tournament ahead of the final selection of the squad for the Women’s Rugby World Cup to be held in France in June.
The squad announcement follows an extensive selection process that included the Women’s National Championship, a National Selection camp, the National Women’s Sevens Championship and satellite training around the country.
Australian Rugby Union CEO, Bill Pulver said he’s excited about the Wallaroos’ prospects for the Tri-Nations and Rugby World Cup.
“The squad trained hard at the National Selection Camp in Canberra and I’m confident they’ll improve on their third place from the last Women’s Rugby World Cup when they head to France in August,” Mr Pulver said.
“They have an excellent coaching team led by Paul Verrell and the Tri-Nations Test series against New Zealand and Canada will be the perfect preparation on their quest for World Cup glory.
“The Australian Rugby community will certainly be cheering hard at every stage of their path to Paris.”
Head Coach Paul Verrell said he and his team were very impressed with the commitment and training of all the players at the National Selection Camp.
“After a careful and considered process we have chosen this squad to take us to the Tri-Nations and prepare us for success at the IRB Women’s World Cup. I’m confident they have the potential to go better than their third place in 2010 and we have every intention of doing so,” he said.
The squad includes representative players from right across the country and the Australian Services Rugby Union.
QLD – 5
NSW – 10
ACT – 2
WA – 3
VIC – 2
ASRU – 4
NSW Representative Tui Ormsby from the Warringah Rats Rugby Club will be seeking to run out for her fourth World Cup if selected to represent Australia in Paris.
“I’m very excited about getting the opportunity to potentially represent Australia in a fourth World Cup. My journey in the 2010 World Cup ended prematurely due to injury so I’m really excited to get out there again and make the most of this opportunity.
“We have got a long road ahead of us but the feeling and sense of camaraderie at the National Selection camp was fantastic and I’m confident we will make everyone proud of the Wallaroos this year”.
The Wallaroos squad is as follows:
Number
First Name
Surname
Representing
1
Hayley
Barclay
*QLD
2
Tricia
Brown
QLD
3
Louise
Burrows
ACT
4
Chloe
Butler
*SYD
5
Cheyenne
Campbell
QLD
6
Rebecca
Clough
WA
7
Dalena
Dennison
QLD
8
Mollie
Gray
*ASRU
9
Natasha
Haines
*WA
10
Alisha
Hewett
*ASRU
11
Ashleigh
Hewson
SYD
12
Ashley
Marsters
*VIC
13
Nita
Maynard
*SYD
14
Danielle
Meskell
SYD
15
Michelle
Milward
*ACT
16
Tui
Ormsby
SYD
17
Liz
Patu
*QLD
18
Emily
Robinson
*SYD
19
Brooke
Saunders
*ASRU
20
Oneata
Schwalger
*VIC
21
Rebecca
Smyth
NSWC
22
Alexandra
Sulusi
*SYD
23
Kenina
Terita
*SYD
24
Caroline
Vakalahi
ASRU
25
Madeline
Putz
*WA
26
Margaret
Watson
NSWC
*Uncapped player
Wallaroos dates:
Tri Nations Training Camp, 28-29 May, Sydney Academy of Sport, Narrabeen.
Tri-Nations Tournament, team travels on May 30 to New Zealand.
World Cup Training Camp, 21-27 July Sydney Academy of Sport, Narrabeen.
The IRB Women’s Rugby World Cup commences on August 1.
The Wallaroos have France, South Africa and Wales in their World Cup pool.
