Swiss Army Ash: Marsters relishing utility role ahead of 'do-or-die' USA clash

Wed, Aug 27, 2025, 2:00 AM
LW
by Lachie Grey and Nathan Williamson

It's almost easier to list the positions Ash Marsters hasn't played in Test rugby.

The 31-year-old continues to break new ground as the Wallaroos' all-time cap leader - Marsters' record stands at 42 Tests after last week's 73-0 win over Samoa - but her best jersey number remains a mystery.

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Most recently deployed as a backrower by Australia and the Western Force through 2025, the Melbournian debuted as a Test halfback in 2014 and played hooker during the 2022 World Cup.

Throw in a few Super Rugby Women's caps at centre for good measure.

"It was probably more than three [positions]," Marsters joked when asked about her Wallaroos playing history.

"But I guess that's just a privilege to be able to fill multiple numbers and jerseys wherever I can.

"I think I've just had good opportunities where they came and just been adaptable and fill different positions where I needed to.

"All positions, they complement each other in a way - like, that's rugby - so it probably helped my game to see footy in different eyes, like backs' eyes and forwards' eyes.

"But that's not to say that I don't have to throw the ball at training. We still have to throw the ball sometimes when we need an extra hooker, so I think being able to service my team in different ways has been good for us in preparation wherever we need to."

Unsurprisingly, Marsters looms a key figure in Australia's hopes of defeating a desperate USA outfit and booking their quarter final ticket.

Her two-try performance underpinned the Wallaroos' 27-19 win over their Pacific Four rivals back in May, but Marsters won't be taking the Americans lightly.

The USA's hopes of escaping Pool A hinge on defeating both Australia and Samoa after their 69-7 loss to England - and the Wallaroos are braced for a bruising encounter.

"I don't take any game for granted … so coming into this one, especially in the World Cup, every game's really important," Marsters said.

"Every game's a do-or-die, basically. So, yeah, it's not something that I take lightly.

"[USA] are a physical team, they're not afraid to get over your breakdowns so I expect that they'll be doing that this weekend, but in saying that we've had time to prepare and we've done a lot of work on our side too in terms of physicality, so I think we'll match that this weekend.

"I think we've had a lot more time to prepare for this [World Cup], we've invested in a lot more time together in camps which has prepared us well coming into a World Cup which we haven't had previously."

And where might Marsters play next - should a fourth World Cup beckon?

"I'll leave it as a surprise, might go back to 10 or something."

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