Australia have announced a 32-player squad for the upcoming Women’s Rugby World Cup in England, with 17 players retained from the last tournament in New Zealand four years ago.
The team features a strong mix of experience and youth, including Sevens star Charlotte Caslick, who has been included despite carrying an ankle injury. Wing Caitlin Urwin is the only uncapped player selected, while teenagers Caitlyn Halse, 18, and Waiaria Ellis, 17, also make the cut.
“We are very proud of the squad and the journey the players and staff have been on for the past two years to get to this point,” said head coach Jo Yapp.
“We have a very special group of people within this squad, diverse in culture and a range of ages and levels of experience in the game.”
Australia reached the quarter-finals at the 2021 World Cup, where they were eliminated by eventual runners-up England.
The Wallaroos will open their campaign in Pool A against Samoa in Salford on 23 August. Their remaining group matches are against the United States in York on 30 August, and England in Brighton on 6 September. England and the USA kick off the tournament in the same pool a day earlier.
Australia squad:
Forwards:
Katalina Amosa (ACT Brumbies), Bree-Anna Browne (Queensland Reds), Annabelle Codey (NSW Waratahs), Emily Chancellor (NSW Waratahs), Piper Duck (NSW Waratahs), Ashley Fernandez (ACT Brumbies), Brianna Hoy (NSW Waratahs), Asoiva Karpani (Queensland Reds), Lydia Kavoa (ACT Brumbies), Kaitlan Leaney (NSW Waratahs), Michaela Leonard (Western Force), Ashley Marsters (Western Force), Tania Naden (ACT Brumbies), Bridie O’Gorman (NSW Waratahs), Siokapesi Palu (ACT Brumbies), Faliki Pohiva (NSW Waratahs), Adiana Talakai (NSW Waratahs), Tabua Tuinakauvadra (ACT Brumbies)
Backs:
Charlotte Caslick (Queensland Reds), Lori Cramer (Queensland Reds), Waiaria Ellis (NSW Waratahs), Georgina Friedrichs (NSW Waratahs), Caitlyn Halse (NSW Waratahs), Tia Hinds (ACT Brumbies), Desiree Miller (NSW Waratahs), Faitala Moleka (ACT Brumbies), Layne Morgan (Queensland Reds), Trilleen Pomare (Western Force), Cecilia Smith (Western Force), Maya Stewart (NSW Waratahs), Caitlin Urwin (Queensland Reds), Samantha Wood (Western Force)