Sevens speedster named in World Cup Squad

Wed, Jun 28, 2017, 2:02 AM
Marty Cambridge
by Marty Cambridge
Sevens youngster Mahalia Murphy is in line to make her Wallaroos debut in August's World Cup after being announced in Paul Verrells 28-woman squad. She'll be joined by gold medallists and Sevens co-captains Shannon Parry and Sharni Williams.

Three Australian Sevens stars including two gold medalists have been named in the Wallaroos 28-woman squad for the 2017 Rugby World Cup in Ireland.

Sevens co-captains Sharni Williams and Shannon Parry both find themselves on the tour while potential debutant and speedster Mahalia Murphy has also been selected by coach Paul Verrell.

Western Australian flyhalf Trilleen Pomare is the only other woman named who could debut, in a squad that features 156 caps of Test experience with nine players already having World Cup experience.

The Wallaroos finalised their preparations for the August tournament with matches against Canada, New Zealand and England earlier this month.

"That tour in New Zealand really showed us the standard of the best three teams in the world and we know what we need to do to reach that level now, so it's time for the next generation of Wallaroos to really step up,” Verrell said.

"We have a really competitive pool with Ireland, France and Japan and we know that there's no such thing as an easy game at a World Cup. We're really looking forward to pulling on that gold jersey and doing it proud.”

The Wallaroos will come together in Sydney at the end of next month before departing for Ireland on August 2.

The squad are in Pool C for the tournament alongside Ireland, France and Japan.

Squad

Forwards

Millie Boyle, 3 Tests, ACT

Chloe Butler, 9 Tests, South Australia

Cheyenne Campbell, 12 Tests, Queensland

Rebecca Clough, 13 Tests, Western Australia

Mollie Gray, 8 Tests, Australian Services Rugby Union

Grace Hamilton, 4 Tests, Sydney

Alisha Hewett, 12 Tests, Australian Services Rugby Union

Evelyn Horomia, 2 Tests, Sydney

Kiri Lingman, 3 Tests, Queensland

Hana Ngaha, 4 Tests, Queensland

Shannon Parry, 10 Tests, Queensland

Liz Patu, 12 Tests, Queensland

Emily Robinson, 2 Tests, Sydney

Hilisha Samoa, 3 Tests, Queensland

Alexandra Sulusi, 3 Tests, Sydney

Violeta Tupuola, 2 Tests, ACT

Ash Hewson will be the most experienced Wallaroo in Ireland. Photo: RUGBY.com.au/Brendan HertelBacks

Katrina Barker, 5 Tests, NSW Country

Fenella Hake, 3 Tests, Queensland

Ashleigh Hewson, 15 Tests, Sydney

Nareta Marsters, 4 Tests, Sydney

Mahalia Murphy*, Sydney

Trilleen Pomare*, Western Australia

Sarah Riordan, 4 Tests, Australian Services Rugby Union

Kayla Sauvao, 3 Tests, Sydney

Huia Swanell, 2 Tests, Western Australia

Ashleigh Timoko, 1 Test, Western Australia

Samantha Terherne, 3 Tests, Queensland

Sharni Williams, 14 Tests, ACT

*denotes uncapped player

2017 Rugby World Cup fixtures

Wallaroos v Ireland at UCD Bowl, Dublin, 10th August, 4am AEST

Wallaroos v France at UCD Bowl, Dublin, 14th August, 4.45am AEST

Wallaroos v Japan at Billings Park UCD, Dublin, 18th August, 2am AEST

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