Wallaroos young gun Caitlyn Halse is still soaking in a remarkable six months of action after an action-packed season.
Halse was named Junior Women's Player of the Year at the 2024 Rugby Australia Awards, besting Sevens debutant Ruby Nicholas and Waratahs young gun Waiaria Ellis.
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The 18-year-old became the youngest player to play for the Wallaroos in May after debuting against the USA.
Halse was in and out of the squad before a breakout performance in a defeat to Wales cemented the fullback as a star of the future.
She featured in all three WXV 2 matches, integral to the title-winning campaign.
“I haven’t had much time to reflect yet but obviously I had a pretty good year," Halse told Rugby.com.au
“It’s such an honour to represent your country but to do it at such a young age is a massive privilege."
The magnitude of what Halse had achieved was magnified by legendary Wallaroos Selena Tranter (née Worsley) and Cheryl Mcafee (née Soon) going in as the inaugural members of the Australian Rugby Women's Hall of Fame alongside Sevens legend Emilee Barton (née Cherry).
“This can only be done because of the girls before me that paved the way like Selena (Tranter née Worsley) and extremely grateful for what they’ve done," Halse explained.
“It definitely amplifies how special that campaign and game was. If it wasn’t for people like Selena and all the other girls who pioneered the way for Rugby, we wouldn’t have our chance to go to South Africa and play in a tournament like WXV 2.
“To get those three wins to take out the comp and qualify for the World Cup is massive and really special.”
Halse has some great role models to look towards in the current Wallaroos squad, who have taken 'The Kid' under their wing as she celebrated her 18th birthday in South Africa.
Maya Stewart and Georgina Friedrichs have been particularly influential in Halse's development.
Stewart (Wallaroos Player of the Year 2024) and Friedrichs (Wallaroos Player of the Year 2022) know what it takes to deliver at the highest level, with Halse grateful for their mentorship.
“Those two were particularly massive for me, not just this year but last year when I first got into Super W," she explained.
“They’ve been the people inside and outside of me so they’ve really taken me under their wing and as one of their own.
“They really looked after me, especially on tour taking me out, looking out for me and teaching me a couple of things I need to know for Test Rugby.”
Before Halse could focus on the 2025 Rugby World Cup, there was another challenge she had to face: completing her HSC.
The teenager has balanced her studies and playing career throughout the season, which is helped by having the likes of Layne Morgan in camp, who is studying to be a Maths teacher.
“The day we flew back I had my first HSC exam which was a bit stressful I can’t lie so I’ve been getting through that," Halse said and smiled.
“It’s also helpful when you have a couple of teachers on tour but I’m now back at training and getting into pre-season with Waratahs and do it all again.”
