Wallaroos welcome back overseas stars for Pacific Four

Thu, Jun 15, 2023, 12:56 AM
Nathan Williamson
by Nathan Williamson

Wallaroos coach Jay Tregonning has confirmed a 31-player squad for the Pacific Four series, opening with an O'Reilly Cup match against the Black Ferns on June 29 at Dolphin Stadium in Moreton Bay.

The squad is headlined by the return of stars Arabella McKenzie, Emily Chancellor and Kaitlan Leaney to the national set-up.

Don't miss out! Click here to buy tickets as the Wallaroos take on the Black Ferns at Dolphin Stadium

The trio return after spending the first half of 2023 with English club Harlequins.

Fellow overseas player Lori Cramer will return for the Canadian leg of the Pac Four series, having helped Exter to the Premier 15's Final with an upset win over Saracens.

"We welcome back three of our players from England and wish Lori Cramer and the Exeter Chiefs all the best in their Grand Final," Tregonning said.

"The coaches and I were pleased with the level of commitment and skill the Wallaroos displayed at the Sydney Test match last month, and we look forward to building on that momentum as we prepare to take on the Black Ferns.

"The group is looking forward to testing themselves against the current World Champions - it's always an exciting match!"

The Pacific Four Series will serve as qualification for the inaugural WXV Series.

The top three teams will qualify for the WXV 1 tournament, joining England, France and Wales.

At the same time, the fourth-place side will travel to South Africa to face the champions of the Asia Rugby Women's Championship and Rugby Africa Women's Cup in Pool B of the WXV 2 competition.

The squad will travel to Gold Coast next week before immediately heading to Canada on June 30 to compete in the remaining Pacific Four Series

WALLAROOS SQUAD FOR BLACK FERNS MATCH

Adiana Talakai – 24 – NSW Waratahs – 10 caps

Alana Elisaia – 29 – Queensland Reds – 2 caps

Annabelle Codey – 26 – Queensland Reds – 3 caps

Arabella McKenzie – 24 – Harlequins – 15 caps

Ashley Marsters – 29 – Melbourne Rebels – 20 caps

Bree-Anna Cheatham – 26 – Queensland Reds – 2 caps

Bridie O’Gorman – 24 – NSW Waratahs – 12 caps

Carys Dallinger – 23 – Queensland Reds – 1 cap

Cecilia Smith – 29 – Queensland Reds – 6 caps

Desiree Miller – 21 – NSW Waratahs – uncapped

Emily Chancellor – 31 – Harlequins – 16 caps

Emily Robinson – 30 – NSW Waratahs – 19 caps

Eva Karpani – 26 – NSW Waratahs – 14 caps

Faitala Moleka – 18 – ACT Brumbies – 1 cap

Georgina Friedrichs – 28 – NSW Waratahs – 12 caps

Grace Hamilton – 31 – NSW Waratahs – 26 caps

Ivania Wong – 25 – Queensland Reds – 8 caps

Jasmin Huriwai – 29 – ACT Brumbies – 1 cap

Kaitlan Leaney – 22 – Harlequins – 8 caps

Layne Morgan – 24 – NSW Waratahs – 12 caps

Leilani Nathan – 22 – NSW Waratahs – uncapped

Lori Cramer – 30 – Exeter Chiefs – 15 caps

Madison Schuck – 31 – Queensland Reds – 5 caps

Maya Stewart – 23 – NSW Waratahs – 2 caps

Michaela Leonard – 28 – Western Force – 15 caps

Piper Duck – 22 – NSW Waratahs – 10 caps (C)

Sera Naiqama – 27 – NSW Waratahs – 7 caps

Siokapesi Palu – 28 – ACT Brumbies – 2 caps

Tabua Tuinakauvadra – 20 – ACT Brumbies – 1 cap

Tania Naden – 31 – ACT Brumbies – 3 caps

Trilleen Pomare – 30 – Western Force – 21 caps

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