Paper to Paper Wallaroos Team Named For NZ Tests

Wallaroos No.8 Tasileta Bethell in action against the Black Ferns in 2007.

Australian Rugby Union today named a 22-woman Wallaroos squad that will take on New Zealand’s Black Ferns in Canberra on October 14 and 18, the first time a women’s Rugby international will be played in Australia since 2001.

Coach Steve Hamson has trimmed the squad, after naming a provisional 35-player training group in July, to the final 22 players that will attempt to record their first victory over the world champion Black Ferns next month.

Among the squad are six debutants, lock Dalena Dennison, prop Dannielle Meskell, centres Sharni Williams and Melissa Rowe, hooker Margaret Watson and winger Nicole Beck.

Half of the 22-player squad will be made up of players from NSW while Queensland is the second most represented state with five (5) squad members.

Western Australia and the ACT both have two players each while Victoria is represented solely by hooker Silei Poluleuligaga and the Australian Services Rugby Union through lock Kate Porter.

NSW scrumhalf Cheryl Soon will retain the captaincy after leading the Aussies on a two-Test of New Zealand last year.

Wallaroos coach Steve Hamson said the team has plenty of potential and the upcoming series was an important step towards the 2010 Women’s World Cup.

“We’re now at a stage where we need to build this squad’s match experience before the World Cup qualifiers next year, and ultimately the World Cup itself,” said Hamson.

“We have brought in some new players and the squad has a tremendous amount of potential and belief”

“Our backline has plenty of pace and the ability to penetrate defences, while our backrow is arguably the finest we have ever had in Women’s rugby.”

Hamson also credited the Women’s Sevens championship-winning exploits, including consecutive victories over New Zealand, in Samoa as providing a boost in confidence for the entire squad.

“The nine girls that have come back to us from the Sevens program, are not only in top physical condition but they also have a strong belief they can match it with New Zealand.”

““This has filtered throughout the squad and with a young average age of only 23, we are certainly heading in the right direction.”

The Black Ferns return to Australia for the first time since 1998 and will be defending the Laurie O’Reilly Memorial Trophy, which they claimed during their 2-0 series win over the Wallaroos in New Zealand last year.

Paper to Paper Wallaroo squad to play New Zealand:

* Debutant

# Member of 2008 Australian Women’s Sevens squad

Shadow Squad

Wallaroo Management

Head Coach                           Steve Hamson           

Set Piece Coach                    Brendan Allardyce     

Skills Coach & Analyst        Shirley Russell           

Manager                                 Mark Rowe                

Doctor                                    Dr Maja Markovic      

Physiotherapist                     Simonne Spooner

Wallaroos Match Schedule

14 October 2008 v Black Ferns, Viking Park in Canberra

18 October 2008 v Black Ferns, Viking Park in Canberra