The Waratahs have unveiled their 2020 extended Super W squad and a new coach to go with it.
Former assistant Campbell Aitken will take over the coaching reins from Matt Evrard, becoming the team's third coach in as many seasons.
Aitken coached Sydney to a win in the annual Chikarovski Cup in 2018 before graduating into the Waratahs ranks.
The Scottish-born coach will also continue in his role as director of men's and women's rugby at Sydney's Easts club.
Aitken named a 47-player preseason squad on Wednesday night, with a mix of the familiar and the new in that number.
#BREAKING | Our extended 2020 Super W squad has been named, with 47 players joining pre-season preparations kicking off in late-November!
— NSW Waratahs (@NSWWaratahs) November 6, 2019
More: https://t.co/jNaTXSbEHE pic.twitter.com/dKCJDaaNQA
Former Aussie 7s player Georgie Friedrichs is among the group named for the 2020 season after a standout campaign for the Randwick Magic in the Jack Scott Cup this season.
Aitken said he was pleased to be able to name a mix of representation from around the state in the group.
“It’s been something that Matt [Evrard] and Tim [Rapp] have put a lot of work into in recent years and we’re beginning to reap the rewards,” Aitken said.
“We’ve got great representation from NSW Country along with some exciting young players, who all got their opportunity at the Chikarovski Cup – it’s a really valuable part of our pathway and selection process for Super W.
“There’s a wealth of experience with the likes of Grace [Hamilton], Emily [Robinson] and Mahalia [Murphy] along with plenty of players within or on the fringes of the national team.
“We’ve got 11 players at the Oceania Rugby Championships this month, so their experience in that tournament into a solid pre-season can only benefit them coming into Super W.”
The 2020 Super W schedule is yet to be confirmed but it is expected the competition will kick off in late March.
SQUAD
NSW Waratahs Super W preseason squad
Aaliyah Faamausili - Randwick
Adiana Talakai - Sydney Uni
Arabella McKenzie - Randwick
Ariana Kaiwai - Blacktown
Atasi Lafai - Campbelltown
Barbara Waddell - Sydney Uni
Bridie O'Gorman - Sydney Uni
Chloe Leaupepe - Western Sydney
Claudia Bell - Sydney Uni
Courtney Frankl - Eastern Suburbs
Emily McDonald - Central West
Emily Chancellor - Sydney Uni
Emily Robinson - Warringah
Eva Karpani - Randwick
Evelyn Horomia - Western Sydney
Fi Jones - Sydney Uni
Georgina Friedrichs - Randwick
Grace Hamilton - Sydney Uni
Iliseva Batibasaga - Sydney Uni
Jade Huggins - Western Sydney
Jemima McCalman - Sydney Uni
Jemima Henry - Campbelltown
Katrina Barker - Hunter
Kennedy Cherrington - Randwick
Kirrily Laws - Sydney Uni
Layne Morgan - Randwick
Leilani Nathan - Hunter
Lillyann Mason-Spice - Central West
Madeline Wilson - Sydney Uni
Mahalia Murphy - Hunter
Maya Stewart - Hunter
Melissa Fatu - Western Sydney
Mikaela Trbojevich - Warringah
Moniqca Mo'ale - Randwick
Nicole Nathan - Hunter
Noella Green - Sydney Uni
Olivia White - Southern Districts
Oneata Schwalger - Randwick
Pauline Pilia’e - Blacktown
Piper Duck - Sydney Uni
Sera Naiqama - Sydney Uni
Shanice Parker - Warringah
Shenay Ball - Central Coast
Taz Sheppard - Sydney Uni
Tina Campbell - Eastern Suburbs
Tisera Volkman - Sydney Uni
Violeta Tupuola - Gordon
