20-20 vision: Twenty girls under 20 who shape as the sport's next big stars

Thu, Jan 2, 2020, 6:00 AM
AAP
by AAP
There are plenty of exciting women coming through in Australian rugby. Photo: Oceania Rugby
There are plenty of exciting women coming through in Australian rugby. Photo: Oceania Rugby

Yesterday we brought you a list of 20 boys to look out for in 2020, today RUGBY.com.au looks at the female talent shaping as rising stars.

Australian rugby has produced some exciting female talent in recent years and found some high-profile success, including an Olympic gold medal in 2016.

The women's Sevens team have been consistently among the medallists in World Series events and the Wallaroos have celebrated a host of historic milestones in XVs rugby.

This year shapes as the start of a exciting decade for women's rugby and there'll be plenty of new names who emerge in the coming years.

Want to know who to keep an eye out for? We've got you covered with 20 women who could be making a splash in years to come.

Sariah Paki (Aussie 7s)

Sariah Paki is an exciting Sevens talent. Photo: Getty ImagesBecame the youngest player ever to compete for Australia in the World Series when she made her debut in Sydney in 2019.

Faith Nathan (Aussie 7s)

Starred in the 2019 Uni 7s and progressed into the senior ranks with an impressive display in her recent World Series outings.

Georgia Hannaway (Aussie 7s, Aon Uni 7s 2019)

Player of the series in the 2019 Aon Uni 7s and that form carried into her first World Series events with Hannaway earning two tries across the opening two legs.

Maddison Higgins-Ashby (Aussie 7s)

Ashby made her Aussie 7s debut in the opening World Series event of 2019 after a year in the national squad.

Alysia Lefau-Fakosilea, centre (Qld Super W, Wallaroos, Aussie 7s, Australian Youth 7s 2018)

Alysia Lefau-Fakaosilea is a star of the rugby future. Photo: Getty ImagesIn a similar vein to the Wallabies' Jordan Petaia, it feels as if Lefau-Fakaosilea is already somewhat of an established name but at only 19, she's just getting started. 

Hagiga Mosby (Aussie 7s, Australian Youth Sevens 2018, 2019)

On the fringes of the Aussie 7s squad after impressive seasons with the youth outfit and berth with the UQ Uni 7s Series.

Jakiya Whitfeld (Aussie 7s Aon Uni 7s 2018, 2019, Australian Youth Sevens 2018)

The woman they call Winx. Whitfeld starred in the Uni 7s in 2018 and made her World Series debut in the Dubai-Cape Town World Series legs last month.

Maya Stewart, wing (NSW Super W, Australia A squad 2019)

Featured in the Australia A squad in Fiji last month and a fixture in the Super W squad and the UNE Uni 7s squad.

Tisera Volkman, prop (NSW Super W)

Front rower from the successful Sydney Uni nursery, set to feature in the Waratahs set up in Super W this year.

Grace Kemp, utility forward (Brumbies Super W. Australia A Wallaroos tour)

Grace Kemp is one of the youngest Brumbies Super W players. Photo: Getty ImagesA second row/backrow who showed promise in her first Super W season, earning her selection on the end of year Australia A tour at the Oceania XVs Championships.

Ella Ryan (Brumbies Super W, Aon Uni 7s)

A teenage playmaker who has made her mark in Uni 7s tournaments. Was too young to be included in the 2019 Brumbies' Super W squad but expect to see much more of her in coming years.

Ainsley Scrivener (Brumbies Super W)

Another ACT Super W prospect, Scrivener comes from strong rugby pedigree as the daughter of Vikings coach Nick. The centre will be part of the Brumbies Super W outfit in 2020.

Frieda Ah-Sam (RugbyWA Super W)

Tighthead prop from WA, has already caught the attention of national selectors and will be closely watched in Super W 2020.

Langley Sesega (RugbyWA Super W, Commonwealth Youth Games Sevens)

Sesega was a part of the gold medal-winning Youth Sevens team at the 2017 Youth Commonwealth Games and will be part of the RugbyWA Super W outfit this year.

Piper Duck (Australia A 2019, Australian Youth Sevens 2019, Aon Uni 7s Series)

Featured in the Wallaroos' A squad in Fiji last month and the gold medal-winning team in the World Schools Sevens competition. Played for Sydney Uni in the Aon Uni 7s.

Bienne Terita (Australian Youth Sevens 2019)

NSW product Terita captained the Aussie girls who took out the recent World Schools Sevens, also winning MVP of the tournament.

Courtney Hodder, wing (Qld Super W)

Courtney Hodder burst onto the scene with RugbyWA back in 2018 but has since moved to QLD. Photo: RUGBY.com.au/Stuart WalmslwyHodder burst onto the scene in the first year of Super W with six tries in one match playing for WA. Some injury setbacks pushed her out of the game but the youngster has worked her way back into national contention and will play for QLD in this year's domestic competition.

Tiana Rafstand-Smith (Australians Youth Sevens 2019)

One of a number of Aussies named in the World Schools Sevens team of the tournament last month as they took out the gold medal.

Jaime Chapman (Australian Youth Sevens 2019)

Cross-code talent who starred in the World Schools Sevens last month as the Australian girls took the title.

Bella Nasser (Australian Youth Sevens 2018,19)

The younger sister of Junior Wallabies prop Josh, Nasser has proven herself a talent to watch. Skilful and tough, Nasser thrives in contact and on both sides of the ball.

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