The NSW Waratahs Women have named a 32-player squad for the Santos Festival of Rugby in Roma next weekend.
The squad includes 18 forwards and 14 backs, with prop Seneti Kilisimasi chosen as vice captain and back Edie Burke as captain.
The Waratahs will take on the Reds as part of the landmark festival at Gallas Fox Park next Saturday, with the game kicking off at 3.30PM and preceding the Super Rugby AUS clash between the two sides.
Head Coach for the side Andy Gibson was excited for the new leadership group to make their mark and the wider playing squad to show their quality in Roma.
“Edie and Seneti have been selected to lead this group for the way they lead themselves first and then drive the group. We're super excited for the game,” Gibson said.
“With 15 Waratahs players currently representing the Wallaroos, this block leading up to the Santos Festival gives us an awesome opportunity to welcome 17 players from club rugby to experience what the Waratahs is all about.
“We've had a great couple of weeks preparing for the game against the Reds and are really excited to see the players express themselves and lean into what's got them identified.
“The other benefit is our current Super W squad members stepping into more senior roles within the team, and it's been incredible watching them strengthen the mortar around the group, coaching and passing on their knowledge to the players coming in.”
11 Swyftx Super Rugby Women’s players are chosen, with 94 Super Rugby caps between them. Leilani Nathan is the most experienced with 25 caps.
Lock Tahlia Morgan returns from an upper leg injury to take her place in the forwards, while Ella Roberts a former Irish sevens player and Georgia Rivers, capped for Hong Kong XVs, are included in the backs.
In terms of the coaching group, Gibson will be Head Coach and Attack Coach, having been Mike Ruthven’s assistant during Super Rugby Women’s.
Shaun McCreedy is the forwards and defence coach, while Emily Robinson, who recently retired as the most-capped player in Super Rugby Women’s history, is the side’s Scrummaging Coach.
Waratahs Women squad for Santos Festival of Rugby Festival in Roma
Forwards:
Ruby Anderson – Hunter Wildfires
Armarni Bentley – Eastern Suburbs
Laiema Bosenavulagi – Sydney University
Eliza Cotis – Sydney University
Anita Faimasui Brown – Hunter Wildfires
Grace Gillies – Warringah Rats
Taj Heald – Warringah Rats
Seneti Kilisimasi (vc) – Manly
Elissa Langi – Two Blues
Georgia Moore – Southern Districts
Tahlia Morgan – Eastern Suburbs
Leilani Nathan – Warringah Rats
Jaydah Ongosia – Manly
Millie Parker – Two Blues
Tayleah Pasili – Two Blues
Lilieta Po'uli – Manly
Shanice Talataina – Two Blues
Nancy Volkman – Manly
Backs:
Maya Atkinson – Gordon
Edie Burke © – Gordon
Sydney Davis – Gordon
Jewel Faaui – Two Blues
Rosie Ferguson – Eastern Suburbs
Ruby Flanders – Hunter Wildfires
Litia Fusi – Manly
Martha Harvey – Eastern Suburbs
Georgia Rivers – Gordon
Ella Roberts – Eastern Suburbs
Danielle Seckold – Two Blues
Kiana Vatubua – Two Blues
Leonia Vei – Manly
Lusiana Vesikula – Southern Districts
