Womens Rugby World Cup 2006, Canada
The 'Wallaroos' look for winning return
ARU/IRB
Australia's women will be looking to step out of the international wilderness in style in Canada next month when the IRB Women's Rugby World Cup gets under way in Edmonton.
The 'Wallaroos' have not played an international match since the 2002 Women's Rugby World Cup in Spain as funding for the national team was cut after playing numbers dropped below 1000. However, numbers have since soared to over 2000 mark, and as part of the ARU's development plan for Women's Rugby, international matches will become a regular fixture as from next year.
A 56-strong training squad has been selected ahead of the Women's Rugby World Cup, and the majority of players are currently competing in the National Women's Championship in Sydney, and will be looking to impress the selectors as the competition doubles as a trial for international selection.
Nine players from the 2002 Wallaroos, who finished fifth at the last Women's Rugby World Cup remain in contention for a place in the final squad, which will be reduced to 26 players next week.
However, despite the lack of recent international competition, National coach Steve Hamson is optimistic that his side will fair well in Edmonton against the likes of world champions New Zealand and England, who currently lead the way in the Women's Game.
"The club competition here in the major centres is good, and in our mix we've got a lot of players who went to the last World Cup. "
"And we think that our technical and fitness programs we've put them through in the last 12 months will stand us in very good stead."
The teams that are playing in the National Women's Championship at Macquarie University are: Sydney, NSW Country, Queensland, ACT, Victoria, South Australia and a National Indigenous team.
Extended Women’s World Cup squad announced
Extended Women’s World Cup squad
July 07, 2006 - 6:45pm
Story by: ARU
Australia's squad for the 2006 iRB Women's Rugby World Cup took further shape today, with the announcement of an extended 36-player squad for the World Cup in Edmonton, Canada in August/September this year.
Earlier in the day, Queensland took out the National Women's Championship Final, ending Victoria's dream run at the tournament to claim the Champions title.
The match was hard-fought by both teams, but Queensland's fitness gave them the edge, seeing them through the final 20 minutes to win the match, 13-0.
National Women's Coach Steve Hamson said the high standard of play at the Championship had certainly made it tough to select the extended Wallaroos squad.
"The standard of play definitely lifted this year and the matches were very competitive and demonstrated a high level of skill right to the end," Hamson said.
"What was particularly pleasing was the level of fitness of the teams, which has improved across the board, most likely as the result of the desire to be selected for the World Cup."
"We're very pleased with the squad we've selected - it's a good mix of young and more experienced players and we're looking forward to seeing how they mould into a team over the next five days."
The extended Wallaroos squad will spend the next five days in camp at the Sydney Institute of Sport at Narrabeen, with the final touring party of 26 to be announced next Wednesday.
Extended Wallaroos squad for the 2006 iRB Women's Rugby World Cup:
Rebecca Anderson, NSW, Merewether Carlton, Backrow/centre
Iliseva Batisbasaga, QLD, Norths QUT, Scrumhalf
Tasileta Bethell, QLD, Wests, Backrow
Vanessa Bradley, QLD, Norths QUT, Prop
Tricia Brown, QLD, University of QLD, Centre/wing
Rosie Bureta Aiava, VIC, Endeavour Hills, Flyhalf
Louise Burrows, ACT, Royals, Hooker
Page Butcher, NSW, West Harbour, Lock, Backrow
Pip Butt, ACT, Easts, Prop
Jacqueline Cutts, QLD, University of QLD, Lock
Kelli Donnelly, QLD, Townsville, Centre
Lee Fata, SA, Burnside Prop
Lisa Fiaola, NSW, Warringah, Backrow/centre
Annette Finch, QLD, Norths QUT, Hooker
Tegan French, VIC, Northern, Fullback
Kristy Frogley, NSW, West Harbour, Backrow
Alicia Frost, NSW, Merewether Carlton, Lock
Debbie Grylls, VIC, Powerhouse, Scrumhalf/flyhalf
Alexandra Hargreaves, NSW, Sydney University, Backrow
Jorja Jones, NSW, Australian Services, Lock/backrow
Bronwyn Laidlaw, QLD, Easts, Fullback
Tobie McGann, NSW, Newcastle University, Flyhalf/fullback
Lindsay Morgan, ACT, Royals, Prop
Louise Morrison, NSW, Wanderers, Hooker/backrow
Rachelle Pirie, NSW, Sydney University, Scrumhalf/flyhalf
Kristy Pollard, QLD, Townsville, Wing
Silei Poluleuligaga, VIC, Northcote, Backrow
Kate Porter, ACT, Easts, Backrow
Natalie Reid, VIC, Monash University, Prop
Chris Ross, NSW, Warringah, Lock
Seei Sau, QLD, Wests, Backrow
Ruan Sims, NSW, Waverley, Wing
Cheryl Soon, NSW, Warringah, Scrumhalf
Alana Thomas, NSW, Orange Emus, Flyhalf
Rebecca Trethowan, NSW, Newcastle University, Backrow
Kim Wilson, ACT, Easts, Backrow
Selena Worsely, QLD, Easts, Backrow
NSW- 14
Qld- 11
ACT- 5
Vic- 5
SA- 1
Coaching and Management:
Head coach - Steve Hamson
Assistant coach - John Manenti
Team Manager - Mark Rowe
Logistics Assistant - Shirley Russell
Physiotherapist - Simonne Spooner
Team doctor - Dr Maja Markovic
Strength & Conditioner - Brynley Abad
