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Women's Internationals

Most-capped Wallaroo ever Marsters confirms next move

Joe Harvey

4 days ago

CANBERRA, AUSTRALIA - MAY 17: Ashley Marsters of the Wallaroos heads to the try line to score during the Pacific Four Series International Match between Australia Wallaroos and USA at GIO Stadium on May 17, 2025 in Canberra, Australia. (Photo by Mark Nolan/Getty Images)

It has been confirmed that the Wallaroos‘ leading appearance maker Ashley Marsters will swap codes for the next two years.

The 45-cap Australia international, who has competed at three Women’s Rugby World Cups for her country, has joined NRLW’s Cowboys for the 2026 and 2027 seasons.

Born on the Cook Islands, the 32-year-old hooker made her debut for Australia in 2014 and has spent the majority of her domestic career with the Melbourne Rebels and Western Force in Super Rugby Women’s.

VIDEO

It is expected that Marsters will play middle forward for the North Queensland side. She will join up with the squad next week as preseason starts ahead of their 2026 campaign.

Ricky Henry, Cowboys NRLW Head Coach, said: “Ash comes to us with elite level experience and leadership.

“Her 45 Test caps – the most by any Wallaroo – speak volumes about her durability and adaptability in the professional game.

“She has the physical presence and edge to thrive in the NRLW and I can’t wait to see the impact she makes this season.”

Some Cowboys fans may have got an early glimpse of Marsters on the television show Rivals: Sport vs Sport. Athletes from rugby union, rugby league and AFL were pitted against one another in a series of challenges.

Marsters, alongside rugby union teammates Desiree Miller, Joseph Aukuso Sua’ali’i and Harry Wilson ultimately won the contest.

The 32-year-old will not be the only cross-coder on the Cowboys roster. Fran Goldthorp, who was involved with England Red Roses squads in 2025, has enjoyed two spells with Loughborough Lightning and is contracted with the Cowboys until 2027.

In the months since Australia’s quarter-final exit at Women’s Rugby World Cup 2025 a number of Australia internationals have announced they will be playing the 13-player code.

This includes vastly experienced scrum-half Layne Morgan and playmaker Arabella McKenzie. Sevens star Teagan Levi will also spend the season in NRLW after the Gold Coast Titans secured her services after the HSBC SVNS World Championship campaign is over.

Comments

5 Comments

Two Cents 4 days ago

The Roos were depressingly and predictably poor in this year’s Pac4.

Despite being full of talents who have shone in 7s they failed to deliver a single complete performance on any level.

Their discipline was a bad as I've ever seen as was their handling and decision making and it's like they've regressed 10 years.

Not once did they even look credible and they're supposed to be the ninth best side in the world. Riiiiiiight.

It's so infuriating because they're too good to be in the second tier but nowhere near good enough to be in the top flight.

So they'll be firmly at the bottom of WXV1, get relegated to WXV2 again, win it again and then get promoted again to WXV1 just to repeat the cycle all over again.

What a waste of time and resources. It makes hosting in 2029 look like a total anticlimax since on the basis of the sample size to date they won't even make it to the quarters.

Nor would they deserve to on what they've produced so far. Very disappointing to see so little progress. I hope they figure it out.

HitchikersPie 3 days ago

The WXV1/2 format is gone, it’s just a touring model like the men’s old internationals, except now back to back…

In September NZ/Aus/Can/USA/RSA/Jap will play three different opponents from the 6 Nations, Eng/Ire/Sco/Wal/Fra/Ita

Then in October each of the european nations will tour one of the others for 2-3 games.

E.g. In September Australia play each of England, France, Scotland

In October Scotland then tour Australia for two games

WXV3 has been renamed as the “challenger series”, and will stay largely the same with the following teams:

Spain, Netherlands, Brazil (presumed Pool A)

Fiji, Samoa, Hong Kong (presumed Pool B)

These games will take place in Hong Kong over three weekends.

Hope that helps!

JT 4 days ago

Ah so this is why she wasn't in the PAC4 squad

BC1812 4 days ago

The most successful cross coders have largely been from Union to League. This will not help the Wallaroos development. It is disappointing to read about Goldthorpe who last year was being thought of as a successor to Kildunne. Perhaps there is someone else earmarked as that now.

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