Six Brumbies have been included in the Buildcorp Wallaroos extended squad announced today, with 45 players to take part in satellite training programs around the country to prepare for national duties.
Forwards Peta Cox, Violeta Tupuola, Shellie Milward, Tayla Stanford and Georgia O’Neill are joined by fullback Samantha Wood in the squad.
Buildcorp Wallaroos Head Coach Dwayne Nestor will oversee the program before the squad comes together in camp in August ahead of the two match Series against New Zealand’s Black Ferns.
The matches will be played as double headers at ANZ Stadium in Sydney and Eden Park in Auckland with the Qantas Wallabies and the All Blacks.
Buildcorp Wallaroos Head Coach Dwayne Nestor said: “We have named a squad with one eye on success in 2018 and one eye on developing players for the 2021 Women’s Rugby World Cup.
“It’s important that we start blooding players now and getting them used to the expectations we have of players in the National Squad.
“For the squad members now is the time to lift their preparation and training, we have a historic opportunity in August and I know every squad member will be working hard towards that goal.”
Retiring from Test match Rugby this week, is captain of NSW, Ash Hewson who confirmed she would hang up her International boots.
Hewson is the highest point scorer for the Buildcorp Wallaroos and has 21 Test caps to her name since her debut against Samoa in 2009.
“Ash has been a stalwart of Australian Rugby for a long time and been an advocate and pioneer for the Women’s game,” said Nestor.
“I would like to thank Ash for her contributions on the field to the Buildcorp Wallaroos and I know she still has a big role to play in continuing the growth of Women’s XVs.”
2018 Buildcorp Wallaroos Extended Squad
Forwards
Prop
Wynona Baice, QLD
Peta Cox, ACT
Toa Filmoehala, QLD
Evelyn Horomia, NSW
Hana Ngaha, QLD
Emily Robinson, NSW
Violeta Tupuola, ACT
Hooker
Melissa Fatu, NSW
Liz Patu, QLD
Darryl Wickliffe, WA
Locks
Millie Boyle, QLD
Alisha Hewitt, QLD
Kiri Lingman, QLD
Ana-Lise Sio, NSW
Rebecca Clough, WA
Flanker
Emily Chancellor, NSW
Ariana Kaiwai, NSW
Michelle Milward, ACT
Georgia O’Neill, ACT
Kirby Sefo, QLD
Vesinia Taufa, WA
Alice Tonumaivao, WA
Fi Jones, NSW
No. 8
Grace Hamilton, NSW
Victoria Latu, NSW
Tayla Stanford, ACT
Backs
Scrumhalf
Georgia Cormick, VIC
Kendra Fell, WA
Cobie-Jane Morgan, NSW
Flyhalf
Chloe Leaupepe, NSW
Trilleen Pomare, WACentre
Katrina Barker, NSW
Tui Cope, WA
Crystal Maguire, NSW
Nareta Marsters, QLD
Huia Turoa, WA
Wing
Courtney Hodder, WA
Mahalia Murphy, NSW
Zakiya Kereopa, WA
Atasi Lafai, NSW
Shanice Parker, NSW
Sarah Riordan, QLD
Fullback
Mhicca King, WA
Samantha Treherne, QLD
Samantha Wood, ACT
