Wallaroos squad named with eyes on 2021 World Cup

Wed, Apr 10, 2019, 8:00 PM
Beth Newman
by Beth Newman
Tayla Stanford might be injured but she's a key part of the Wallaroos' World Cup plans. Photo: RUGBY.com.au/Stuart Walmsley
Tayla Stanford might be injured but she's a key part of the Wallaroos' World Cup plans. Photo: RUGBY.com.au/Stuart Walmsley

Wallaroos coach Dwayne Nestor has truly begun his side’s path to the 2021 Women’s World Cup with the announcement of an extended squad on Thursday.

The squad is one with the focus on 2021 as much as the immediate future, with Nestor including a host of injured players and some relative unknown players.

Brumbies no. 8 Tayla Stanford is one of a host of players who won’t be available for the immediate future but will almost certainly be part of their World Cup plans.

WA rookie Courtney Hodder, centre Sarah Riordan and Nareta Masters are others named in the wider squad who will be working their way back from injury.

“The PONI (Players of National Interest) squad is an ongoing squad,” he said.

“Even though Tayla’s been  injured, she’s still part of the program and he had based that on her form, which was outstanding early on in the season especially.

“She’s earned the right to be in the squad and this is really an ongoing program looking to 2021 and when she’s back on the field, she’ll be better and stronger than before.”

Maya Stewart had a try for the Waratahs. Photo: RUGBY.com.au/Stuart WalmsleyAustralia will play four Tests this year - two against Japan and two against New Zealand - before a new four nations competition kicks off in 2020.

With that expanded schedule, the need for more players to be in a semi-professional environment is heightened.

Nestor said the 47-player squad gave the national group a chance to give rising stars an opportunity to be exposed to those demands where they might not have in the past.

“It’s a big squad and that provides some opportunities for a few fil provide opportunities for a few girls who in normal circumstances might not have a chance to be exposed to that kind of environment,” he said.

“Waratahs winger Maya Stewart is one girl who is pretty raw and fresh to it all saw enough to say let’s put her in that environment and give her a chance to learn a lot more and develop”

Stewart, one of 15 uncapped players in the squad,  is one of a handful of exciting Australian backs rising up the ranks in a department where the Wallaroos have arguably been light on in recent years.

Australia’s forwards proved their key strength in the 2017 Women’s World Cup but the growth of some young speedsters and the improvement of skills across the board excites Nestore as much as anything.

“Having been a back myself and knowing what it’s like playing in a team with a potent backline,” he said.

“I’m really excited for ‘21 if we have some of those young girls, that back line could be quite potent. That creates exciting rugby.

“We showed in 2017 that our forward pack if it gets the set piece right its ability in general play creates a lot of opportunities - players like Grace Hamilton, people like that being able to carry the ball and get good go forward light up the back line.”

The players will train in state-based groups for the next three months before convening in Newcastle ahead of their July 6 Test against Japan.

Australia takes on Japan in Newcastle on July 13 and at North Sydney Oval on July 19.

SQUAD

Forwards

Millie Boyle, Bond University, Queensland Women

Emily Chancellor, Sydney University, NSW Waratahs Women

Rebecca Clough, Cottesloe, Western Australia

Toa (Dora) Filimoehala*, Sunnybank, Queensland Women

Grace Hamilton, Sydney University, NSW Waratahs Women

Alisha Hewett, GPS/ADFRU, Queensland Women

Evelyn Horomia, Western Sydney, NSW Waratahs Women

Fi Jones*, Sydney University, NSW Waratahs Women

Asoiva (Eva) Karpani*, NSW Waratahs Women

Michaela Leonard, Brumbies Women

Kiri Lingman, Sunnybank, Queensland Women

Ashley Marsters, Melbourne Rebels Women

Shannon Mato*, Sunnybank, Queensland Women

Michelle Milward, Vikings, Brumbies Women

Averyl Mitchell*, University of Queensland, Queensland Women

Sera Naiqama*, Sydney University, NSW Waratahs Women

Georgia O'Neill, Uni Norths, Brumbies Women

Liz Patu, Wests, Queensland Women

Emily Robinson, Warringah, NSW Waratahs Women

Christina Sekona*, Sunnybank, Queensland Women

Ana-Lise Sio, Western Sydney, NSW Waratahs Women

Tayla Stanford, Vikings, Brumbies Women

Violeta Tupuola, Vikings, Brumbies Women

Darryl Wickliffe, Kalamunda, Rugby WA Women

Backs

Katrina Barker, Newcastle, NSW Waratahs Women

Iliseva Batibasaga, Sydney University, NSW Waratahs Women

Mhicca Carter, Cottesloe, Rugby WA Women

Georgia Cormick*, Powerhouse, Melbourne Rebels Women

Lori Cramer*, University of Queensland, Queensland Women

Alana Elisaia*, Sunnybank, Queensland Women

Courtney Hodder*, Palmyra, Rugby WA Women              

Zakiya Kereopa*, Nedlands, Western Australia

Atasi Lafai, Campbelltown, NSW Waratahs Women

Chloe Leaupepe, Warringah, NSW Waratahs Women

Alysia Lefau-Fakaosilea*, Sunnybank, Queensland Women

Crystal Maguire, Warringah, NSW Waratahs Women

Nareta Marsters, Sunnybank, Queensland Women

Cobie-Jane Morgan, Sunnybank, Queensland Women

Mahalia Murphy, Campbelltown, NSW Waratahs Women

Asako Ono*, University of Queensland, Queensland Women

Shanice Parker, Warringah, NSW Waratahs Women

Trilleen Pomare Kalamunda, Rugby WA Women

Sarah Riordan, Wests/ADFRU, Queensland Women

Maya Stewart*, Newcastle Waratahs, NSW Waratahs Women

Samantha Treherne, Sunnybank, Queensland Women

Samantha Wood*, Gungahlin Eagles, Brumbies Women

Share
'Brumbies DNA': Wallabies selections on the line for Reds clash - Larkham
'It's pretty hard to leave an environment like this': Jorgensen eager to commit future to Waratahs
Nico Andrade appointed QRU Women’s High-Performance Manager
'I'll always play on the edge': Wright looking to find attacking balance with new-look Brumbies attack