'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.

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.

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.

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