The Buildcorp Wallaroos extended squad has been announced for August’s training camp in preparation for their tour of New Zealand. One of those players, Unicorn Oneata Schwalger, is the only Victorian selected in the extended squad which is a massive achievement.
Head coach Paul Verrell has named 14 players including Schwalger who took part in the 2014 Rugby World Cup, but has been amazed by some of the new young guns coming through. “I think ACT came up with a couple of young girls,” Verrell said. “Millie Boyle who has only played a handful of games, but showed enough at the Nationals for us to bring her into camp and see how far she goes this year.”
The current squad of 35 players will train on the Gold Coast for a week in August before Verrell trims the squad for their tour of New Zealand. “We’ve taken 35 into this camp at Bond and we’ve still got to cut that to 26 for the tour to NZ,” Verrell said.
“I think now they realise it’s pretty competitive to get on that plane to go to New Zealand, and I think looking forward to future plans for the World Cup in 2017.
“I’m expecting the level of intensity at the camp to be intense with the stakes so high. This is a huge year for Women’s XVs Rugby – we have an important tour to New Zealand coming up in a matter of months as well as the Women’s Rugby World Cup on the horizon.”
Above: Wallaroo Prop Schwalger prepares to fend her South African opponent at the 2014 Women’s Rugby World Cup
The camp kicks off from Wednesday 24 August until Sunday 28 August. The Melbourne Rugby Club wishes Oneata Schwalger all the best in selection for the upcoming NZ Test Match Series in October and in the lead up to the 2017 Women’s Rugby World Cup in Ireland.
Wallaroos schedule (2016-17):
24-28 August 2016: Training camp, Bond University Gold Coast
18 October 2016: Trial Match – Auckland v Buildcorp Wallaroos XV, Eden Park
22 October 2016: 1st Test – New Zealand v Buildcorp Wallaroos, Eden Park
26 October 2015: 2nd Test – New Zealand v Buildcorp Wallaroos, Eden Park
August 2017: Women’s Rugby World Cup, Ireland
Forwards:
Alexandra Bannon, Prop, Queensland
Millie Boyle, Lock, ACT
Louise Burrows, Hooker, ACT
Chloe Butler, Lock, Sydney
Emily Chancellor, Lock, Sydney
Rebecca Clough, Lock, Western Australia
Mollie Gray, Lock/Backrow, ADRFU
Alisha Hewett, Lock, ADRFU
Ivy Kaleta, Hooker, Queensland
Ariana Kaiwai, Flanker, Sydney
Victoria Latu, Number Eight, Sydney
Penelope Leiataua, Frontrow, Sydney
Hana Ngaha, Prop, Queensland
Georgia O’Neill, Backrow, ACT
Alana Patison, Frontrow, NSW Country
Liz Patu, Frontrow/Backrow, Queensland
Emily Robinson, Prop, Sydney
Brooke Saunders, Lock, ADFRU
Oneata Schawalger, Prop, Victoria
Kirby Sefo, Lock/Backrow, Queensland
Alexandra Sulusi, Lock, Sydney
Venisia Taufa, Backrow, Western Australia
Violeta Tupuola, Prop, ACT
Backs:
Katrina Barker, Scrumhalf/Centre, Sydney
Iliseva Batibasaga, Sydney, Scrumhalf
Cheyenne Campbell, Queensland, Flyhalf/Centre
Kasey Dragisic, Wing/Fullback, ACT
Ash Hewson, Flyhalf, Sydney
Chloe Leaupepe, Flyhalf/Centre, Sydney
Nareta Marsters, Wing, Queensland
Cobie-Jane Morgan, Wing, Sydney
Madeline Putz, Fullback/Wing/Centre, Western Australia
Sarah Riordan, Flyhalf/Centre, NSW Country
Hanna Sio, Centre, Sydney
Shontelle Stowers, Wing, Sydney
Source: ARU Media Unit
