Buildcorp Wallaroos head coach Jay Tregonning has today confirmed his 32-player squad for the upcoming Test series against Fiji and Japan.
The eagerly awaited return of the Buildcorp Wallaroos will be made extra special with the program also confirming that they will wear the iconic Gold Jersey, which has become synonymous with Australian Rugby in the side’s first Test match against the Fijiana at Suncorp Stadium on Friday 6 May.
The new-look Buildcorp Wallaroos squad includes 22 uncapped players, who are all eager to make their long-awaited debuts for the program and cement their place in the squad for the upcoming Rugby World Cup in New Zealand.
Experienced fly-half Trilleen Pomare returns to the group for the first time under Jay Tregonning, she will be joined by Force teammate Tamika Jones who forced her way into the national fold after a dominant showing in Buildcorp Super W.
Force general manager of rugby Matt Hodgson said that it is exciting for the club to see Pomare and Jones recognised as players of national interest.
"Trilleen is a great player and a fantastic leader. She has a lot to offer the Wallaroos and it's great to see our captain's hard work and talent recognised on a national level," Hodgson said.
"Our aim at the Force is to attract, nurture and develop young talent, so to have 18-year-old Tamika make this squad is fantastic.
"This selection is only the start for the club, we hope to see many more of our women make the move up to the Wallaroos squad in the near future."
The newly formed squad will assemble on the Gold Coast on Saturday 30 April as they finalise their preparations for the upcoming matches, following a training camp earlier this year.
The Fijiana Test will be the first for the Buildcorp Wallaroos, before the team takes on Japan at Bond University on the Gold Coast on Tuesday 10 May.
“The coaching group has been impressed by the amount of quality rugby throughout the Buildcorp Super W season; it’s certainly made selection decisions challenging,” Buildcorp Wallaroos head coach Jay Tregonning said.
“These two Test matches are crucial to our Rugby World Cup preparation. We are fortunate that we can welcome Fiji and Japan, two strong rugby nations, who are also competing at the Rugby World Cup, to Australian shores.
“I know both matches will be incredibly competitive and a real treat for our fans and supporters.”
“I am delighted to see such a promising Buildcorp Wallaroos squad selected off the back of a competitive Buildcorp Super W season and I cannot wait to see them in action at Suncorp Stadium in our gold jersey,” Rugby Australia Chief Executive Andy Marinos said.
“Across the business, we’ve spoken about this iconic jersey being about our history and our future. It is fantastic that now we have all our national teams representing Australia in the same golden thread.”
Squad Summary
Total Test caps: 116
Uncapped players: 22
Average Test caps: 10
Most capped: Liz Patu (22 caps)
Breakdown: Brumbies 6, NSW Waratahs 25, Queensland Reds 8, Melbourne Rebels 2,
Western Force 2
Buildcorp Wallaroos May Squad
Iliseva Batibagasga – NSW Waratahs
Emily Chancellor - NSW Waratahs
Annabelle – Codey Queensland Reds
Lori Cramer – NSW Waratahs
Piper Duck – NSW Waratahs
Georgina Friedrichs – NSW Waratahs
Grace Hamilton – NSW Waratahs
Tamika Jones – Western Force
Asovia Kapani – NSW Waratahs
Janita Kareta – Melbourne Rebels
Grace Kemp - Brumbies
Kaitlan Leaney – NSW Waratahs
Michaela Leonard - Brumbies
Ashley Marsters - Rebels
Lilyann Mason-Spice - Brumbies
Jemima McCalman - Brumbies
Arabella McKenzie – NSW Waratahs
Tirana Molloy - Queensland Red
Layne Morgan - NSW Waratahs
Mahalia Murphy - NSW Waratahs
Sera Naiqama – NSW Waratahs
Bride O'Gorman – NSW Waratahs
Pesi Palu - Brumbies
Shannon Parry - Queensland Reds
Liz Patu – Queensland Reds
Pauline Pilae – NSW Waratahs
Trilleen Pomare – Western Force
Madison Schuck – Queensland Reds
Cecilia Smith - Queensland Reds
Adiana Talaki – NSW Waratahs
Melanie Wilks - Queensland Reds
Ivania Wong – Queensland Red
