Caslick, despite injury, leads the Wallaroos at the Women's Rugby World Cup

Caslick Headlines Australian Squad for Women’s Rugby World Cup Despite Injury

Rugby sevens star Charlotte Caslick has been included in the Australian Wallaroos squad for the Women’s Rugby World Cup in England, despite suffering an injury. Ashley Marsters and Trilleen Pomare have been selected for their third tournament appearance. The Australians, currently in eighth place in the world rankings, will begin their participation in Salford on August 23 (9 p.m. AEST). They are looking to improve their performance in the 2021 tournament, where they reached the quarter-finals. Coach Jo Yapp announced a 32-player squad on Monday, which includes 15 World Cup debutants. The defending champions of the Super Rugby Women’s, the NSW Waratahs, will have 13 representatives, while the ACT Brumbies will have eight, Queensland six and Western Force five. Caslick, an Olympic gold medalist, switched from sevens rugby this year with the ambition of playing in her first 15s World Cup, but suffered an ankle injury last month that required surgery. Alongside her, Tia Hinds, who also comes from rugby sevens, and captain Siokapesi Palu, who missed the recent test matches against Wales due to a foot injury, were also included. It is not yet clear when the injured players will be available to play. Teen sensation Waiaria Ellis, 17, could become the youngest Wallaroo to play in a World Cup, after being included in the youth team, whose average age is 26. Veterans Marsters and Pomare, who recently surpassed 40 test match appearances, will bring the necessary experience to their third tournament. Caitlin Urwin, the promising Reds wing, has been included after her outstanding performance for Australia A. However, there was no place for Waratahs player Arabella McKenzie. The second-line Annabelle Codey is ready to follow in her father, David Codey’s, footsteps by playing in a World Cup, while Katalina Amosa, sister of Wallabies player Brandon Paenga-Amosa, is one of the three hookers selected.

“We are very proud of the team and the journey the players and staff have taken over the last two years to get to this point,” said Yapp, who will leave the post after the tournament.
Jo Yapp

Charlotte Caslick [L] encabeza el equipo de Australia para la Copa Mundial de Rugby a pesar de sufrir una lesión en el tobillo

The tournament promises to be the biggest women’s rugby event in history, with more than 300,000 tickets sold. After facing Samoa, the Wallaroos will face the United States on August 31 and England, the tournament host and number one in the ranking, on September 6 to complete their group matches.