1
'Excitement is high': Kiwi-born flyhalf named in Wallaroos squad
Head Coach Jay Tregonning has confirmed his first Wallaroos squad of the 2023 season, with 32 players named ahead of the year’s first Test match against Fiji on 20 May.
ADVERTISEMENT
After an exciting Buildcorp Super W tournament that saw the Queensland Reds go head-to-head with the Fijiana Drua in the Grand Final in Townsville last weekend, Wallaroos selectors had some difficult decisions to make.
“With a packed international calendar, the 2023 season is full of opportunity for both our emerging and established players,” said Tregonning.
“The athletes called into the squad distinguished themselves through the work ethic, commitment and drive they displayed during the Buildcorp Super W competition.
“After the most competitive Super W season in recent history, the excitement is high heading into camp later this week. No-one has booked their spot in the team: everything is on the table, and players will be hungry to secure that gold jersey for our first Test match.”
Tregonning has named 11 new players in the squad, including 16-year-old NSW Waratahs fullback, Caitlyn Halse, 18-year-old fly-half Faitala Moleka, and the newly eligible Carys Dallinger.
The group sees familiar faces returning in the front row, with Bridie O’Gorman, Eva Karpani, Emily Robinson, Madison Schuck and Bree-Anna Cheatham named alongside development player Laiema Bosenavulagi, of Melbourne Rebels fame.
ADVERTISEMENT
Hookers Adiana Talakai and Tania Naden also return with locks Sera Naiqama, Michaela Leonard, Annabelle Codey and Deni Ross joining the squad.
Wallaroos legends Grace Hamilton and Shannon Parry are the mainstays of the back row, with the addition of Tabua Tuinakauvadra, Leilani Nathan and Ashley Marsters.
Following the retirement of Iliseva Batibasaga, a young trio of scrum halves have been selected, including Layne Morgan, Sarah Lewis and Jasmin Huriwai.
The experienced quartet of Pesi Palu, Trilleen Pomare, Cecilia Smith and 2022 Wallaroos Player of the Year Georgina Friedrichs are the midfield options, with Ivania Wong, Maya Stewart and rookies Ashlea Bishop, Desiree Miller and Alana Elisaia the selections in the back three.
ADVERTISEMENT
NSW Waratahs flanker Piper Duck is unavailable due to an injury sustained during the Buildcorp Super W season.
“The added investment into the program from Rugby Australia and World Rugby has been a great step in the right direction as we work to professionalise the Women’s game,” Tregonning continued.
“Creating a strong foundation, with the right support for our players, is crucial to expanding and developing the program. With the addition of a new Women’s High Performance Manager later this year, I am confident the squad will go from strength-to-strength throughout the 2023 season.”
WALLAROOS SQUAD FOR MAY CAMP
Adiana Talakai – 24 – NSW Waratahs – 9 caps
Alana Elisaia – 29 – Queensland Reds – 1 cap
Annabelle Codey – 26 – Queensland Reds – 2 caps
Ashlea Bishop – 25 – ACT Brumbies – uncapped
Ashley Marsters – 29 – Melbourne Rebels – 19 caps
Bree-Anna Cheatham – 26 – Queensland Reds – 1 cap
Bridie O’Gorman – 24 – NSW Waratahs – 11 caps
Caitlyn Halse – 16 – NSW Waratahs – uncapped
Carys Dallinger – 23 – Queensland Reds – uncapped
Cecilia Smith – 29 – Queensland Reds – 5 caps
Deni Ross – 22 – Queensland Reds – uncapped
Desiree Miller – 21 – NSW Waratahs – uncapped
Emily Robinson – 30 – NSW Waratahs – 18 caps
Eva Karpani – 26 – NSW Waratahs – 13 caps
Faitala Moleka – 18 – ACT Brumbies – uncapped
Georgina Friedrichs – 28 – NSW Waratahs – 11 caps
Grace Hamilton – 31 – NSW Waratahs – 25 caps
Ivania Wong – 25 – Queensland Reds – 7 caps
Jasmin Huriwai – 29 – ACT Brumbies – uncapped
Laiema Bosenavulagi – 17 – Melbourne Rebels – uncapped
Layne Morgan – 24 – NSW Waratahs – 11 caps
Leilani Nathan – 22 – NSW Waratahs – uncapped
Madison Schuck – 31 – Queensland Reds – 5 caps
Maya Stewart – 23 – NSW Waratahs – 1 cap
Michaela Leonard – 28 – Western Force – 14 caps
Sarah Lewis – 25 – Queensland Reds – uncapped
Sera Naiqama – 27 – NSW Waratahs – 6 caps
Shannon Parry – 33 – Queensland Reds – 23 caps
Siokapesi Palu – 28 – ACT Brumbies – 1 cap
Tabua Tuinakauvadra – 20 – ACT Brumbies – uncapped
Tania Naden – 31 – ACT Brumbies – 2 caps
Trilleen Pomare – 30 – Western Force – 21 caps
– Press Release/Wallaroos
Comments on RugbyPass
Some dumb selections there. Not Porecki Not Donaldson Not Gordon Not Lonegran - both Not Nic White - Fines instead Not Liam Wright Not Paisami Definitely not Vunivalu Other than that not bad.
1 Go to commentsI've never been convinced that Patty T is a test match all black. Otherwise I probably agree it's the best side available to beat the poms. Caveat that Codie Taylor is yet to be seen and could very likely warrant selection by June. I hope that Razor brings the young loosies, half backs and locks into the training squad and develops/ selects the best
7 Go to commentsYou doing the same thing I disliked about the example of Samisoni Taukei'aho, Nick. He’s great the way he is, you’re trying to do what modern-day coaches frustrate me doing, turning everyone into the perfect athlete. Next thing you’ll be telling me you’ll bench him until he’s hit that arbitrary marker, and can’t overtake the current guy who’s doing all his workons. He’s a young Kieran Read, through and through, plays wide and has threat, mainly (and evident in your clips) through his two hand carry and speed. Just let him work on that, or whatever he wants, and determine his own future. Play God and you risk the players going sideways, like Read did, instead of being a Toutai Kefu. I mean I was in the same camp for a while, wanting our tight five to have the size, and carry ability, as the teams they were getting beat by. Now I’m starting to believe those teams just have better skilled and practiced individuals, bigger by upwards of 5kg sometimes, sure, but more influentially they have those intrinsic skills of trust and awareness. Basically our guys just didn’t know wtf they were doing. Don’t think I’m trying to prove a point here but hasn’t Caleb Clarke been in much better form this year, or does he just ‘look’ better now that he’s not always trying to use his size?
44 Go to commentsThe pack lacks a little in height for the line out and I wouldn’t be completely convinced by some of the combinations till we see it in action.
7 Go to commentsThe side is good but lacks experience. International playing bona fides udually trumps super rugby form for good reason. And incumbents are usually stuck with. Codie Taylor should start or come off the bench. B Barrett will start at fullback. Blackadder has not earned the position, Finau has. TJs experience and competitiveness earns him a starting role, Christie or Ratima off the bench
7 Go to commentsPretty good side. Scott Barrett should be the captain. Ethan Blackadder a great choice at blindside. He is going to go from strength to strength having made a couple of starts for the Crusaders. Scott Robertson rates him highly. Perenara could start a no 9.
7 Go to commentsI question and with respect. Was enough done over the last few years to bring through new blood knowing the Whitelocks and co couldn’t last forever. There should have been more done to future proof the team. New squad new coach, he and they weren’t set up well. IMO
6 Go to commentsJacobsen will definitely be in the 23
7 Go to commentsLots of discussion points, Ben, but two glaring follies IMO: 1. Blackadder at 6. Has done nothing so far this season to justify his selection. Did you see him going backwards in contact at the weekend? Simply has not got the physical presence at 6: we need a Scott Barrett or a Finau (or wildcard Ah Kuoi), beasts who are big enough to play lock, like Frizzell. If Barret played at 6, Paddy could be joined at lock by Vai’i or one of the young giants we need to promote, like Darry or Lord (if he ever gets on the field). Blackadder best left to join the queue for 7. 2. Not even a mention for Christie? Ratima gets caught at crucial times at the back of the ruck when he hesitates on the pass. The only way he starts would be if Christie and TJ are injured.
7 Go to commentsWhat a dagg in more ways than one
6 Go to commentsRegroup come back next year but sack some of the coaching team and don't be like the ABs last minute sacking. If Crusaders don't do well ABs don't do well.
5 Go to commentsProctor Definitely inform again this year had a hell of a season last year and this year is looking even better. Still mixed feelings about Ioane tho.
4 Go to commentsDagg is still trying to get enough headlines to make himself relevant enough to get a job. The Crusaders went back to square one at all levels. Shelve this season and nail the next one.
6 Go to commentsHe was in such great form. Sad for him but only a short term injury and it will be great to see him back for the finals.
1 Go to commentsAfter their 5/0 start, I had the Crusaders to finish Top 4 only…they lost the plot in Perth but will reload and back themselves vs 4th placed Rebels…
5 Go to commentsBoth nations missed a great opportunity to book a game that would have had a lot of interest from around the world. I understand these games can’t be organised in 5 minutes but they should have found a way to make it happen. I don’t think Wales are ducking anyone but it’s a bad look haha.
3 Go to commentsIt will be fascinating to see the effect that Jo Yapp has. If they can compete with Canada and give BFs a run for their money that will be progress
1 Go to commentsFollowing his dream and putting in the work. Go well young fella!
3 Go to commentsPerhaps filling Twickenham is one of Mitchell’s KPIs. I doubt whether both September matches will be at Twickenham on consecutive weekends. I would take the BF one to a large provincial stadium so as not to give them the advantage and experience of playing at Twickenham before a large crowd prior to the RWC.
3 Go to commentsvery unfortunate for Kitshoff, but big opportunity potentially for Nché to prove he is genuinely the best loosehead in the world, rather than just a specialist finisher. Presuming that if Kitshoff is out, it will also give Steenekamp a chance to come into the 23? Or are others likely to be ahead of him?
1 Go to comments