2014 World Cup News Articles

Wallaroos announce squad for 2014

Australian Rugby Union today announced a squad of 26 players to compete in the upcoming Tri-Nations tournament to be held in June against New Zealand and Canada, with 15 uncapped players vying to represent Australia for the first time.

Members of the squad will be looking to impress national selectors in the Tri-Nations tournament ahead of the final selection of the squad for the Women’s Rugby World Cup to be held in France in June.

The squad announcement follows an extensive selection process that included the Women’s National Championship, a National Selection camp, the National Women’s Sevens Championship and satellite training around the country.

Australian Rugby Union CEO, Bill Pulver said he’s excited about the Wallaroos’ prospects for the Tri-Nations and Rugby World Cup.

“The squad trained hard at the National Selection Camp in Canberra and I’m confident they’ll improve on their third place from the last Women’s Rugby World Cup when they head to France in August,” Mr Pulver said.

“They have an excellent coaching team led by Paul Verrell and the Tri-Nations Test series against New Zealand and Canada will be the perfect preparation on their quest for World Cup glory.

“The Australian Rugby community will certainly be cheering hard at every stage of their path to Paris.”

Head Coach Paul Verrell said he and his team were very impressed with the commitment and training of all the players at the National Selection Camp.

“After a careful and considered process we have chosen this squad to take us to the Tri-Nations and prepare us for success at the IRB Women’s World Cup. I’m confident they have the potential to go better than their third place in 2010 and we have every intention of doing so,” he said.

The squad includes representative players from right across the country and the Australian Services Rugby Union.

QLD – 5
NSW – 10
ACT – 2
WA – 3
VIC – 2
ASRU – 4

NSW Representative Tui Ormsby from the Warringah Rats Rugby Club will be seeking to run out for her fourth World Cup if selected to represent Australia in Paris.

“I’m very excited about getting the opportunity to potentially represent Australia in a fourth World Cup. My journey in the 2010 World Cup ended prematurely due to injury so I’m really excited to get out there again and make the most of this opportunity.

“We have got a long road ahead of us but the feeling and sense of camaraderie at the National Selection camp was fantastic and I’m confident we will make everyone proud of the Wallaroos this year”.

The Wallaroos squad is as follows:

*Uncapped player

Wallaroos dates:

Tri Nations Training Camp, 28-29 May, Sydney Academy of Sport, Narrabeen.
Tri-Nations Tournament, team travels on May 30 to New Zealand.
World Cup Training Camp, 21-27 July Sydney Academy of Sport, Narrabeen.

The IRB Women’s Rugby World Cup commences on August 1.

The Wallaroos have France, South Africa and Wales in their World Cup pool.

WALLAROOS finalise women's rugby world cup 2014 squad

The Wallaroos squad that will travel to Paris for the 2014 IRB Women’s Rugby World Cup in August was announced today with three regulars from the Qantas Australian Women’s Sevens team named.

Sharni Williams, Shannon Parry and Cobie Jane Morgan make a return to the Wallaroos squad after a successful run on the IRB Seven’s circuit.

The Wallaroos will be aiming to improve on their third place finish in the 2010 IRB Women’s Rugby World Cup.

Head Coach Paul Verrell said the players’ preparation has been good with two strong hit outs against New Zealand and Canada during the Tri-Nations tournament in New Zealand earlier this month.

“Although we didn’t get the results we wanted, from a coaching perspective we now know exactly what we need to target and have adjusted our training programs accordingly.”

“Having three representatives from our hugely successful Sevens set-up highlights how the ARU’s Wallaroos and Sevens program are working in tandem for this World Cup campaign.”

Also named in the squad was Wallaroos veteran flyhalf, Tui Ormsby, who will represent Australia in her fourth Women’s Rugby World Cup, becoming the first Australian Woman to do so.

“Tui showed in New Zealand why she is considered such a strong leader in the team,” Verrell said.

“She is a great mentor for the younger players and her experience going into a tough World Cup campaign will be invaluable for the entire squad.”

There are 12 players in the squad who will be going to their first World Cup.

The Wallaroos will assemble at the Sydney Academy of Sport in Narrabeen on Monday, 21 July for a seven-day camp to finalise their preparations for the World Cup before they fly to Paris the following Sunday.

Verrell’s side has been drawn in Pool C alongside Wales, South Africa and host nation France.

Wallaroos 2014 World Cup Squad:

1. Tricia Brown, Queensland

2. Louise Burrows, ACT

3. Chloe Butler, Sydney

4. Cheyenne Campbell, Queensland

5. Rebecca Clough, Western Australia

6. Dalena Dennison, Queensland

7. Mollie Gray, Australian Services Rugby Union

8. Natasha Haines, Western Australia

9. Alisha Hewett, Australian Services Rugby Union

10. Ashley Hewson, Sydney

11. Ashley Masters, Victoria

12. Nita Maynard, Sydney

13. Danielle Meskell, Sydney

14. Michelle Milward, ACT

15. Cobie Jane Morgan, Sydney

16. Tui Ormsby, Sydney

17. Shannon Parry, Queensland

18. Liz Patu, Queensland

19. Madeline Putz, Western Australia

20. Brooke Saunders, Australian Services Rugby Union

21. Oneata Schwalger, Victoria

22. Hanna Sio, Sydney

23. Rebecca Smyth, NSW Country

24. Caroline Vakalahi, Australian Services Rugby Union

25. Margaret Watson, NSW Country

26. Sharni Williams, ACT