Caslick, injured star, leads Wallaroos at Rugby World Cup

Charlotte Caslick, Rugby Star, Leads Australia’s Team for the Women’s World Cup

The outstanding rugby player, Charlotte Caslick, despite an injury, has been included in the Australian Wallaroos team for the Women’s Rugby World Cup in England. Ashley Marsters and Trilleen Pomare were also selected for their third participation in the tournament. The Australians, currently in eighth place in the world rankings, will begin their participation in Salford on August 23 (9 p.m. AEST). Their goal is to surpass their performance in the last tournament of 2021, where they reached the quarterfinals. Coach Jo Yapp announced on Monday a 32-player squad, including 15 World Cup debutants. The NSW Waratahs, current champions of the Super Rugby Women’s, will be represented by 13 players, followed by the ACT Brumbies with eight, Queensland with six and Western Force with five. Caslick, an Olympic gold medalist, switched from sevens rugby this year with the ambition of playing her first 15s World Cup, but suffered a syndesmosis injury last month that required surgery. Despite this, both she and Tia Hinds, also from rugby sevens, were included. Captain Siokapesi Palu, who missed the recent matches against Wales due to a foot injury, is also part of the team. It has not been specified when the injured players will be available to play. Waiaria Ellis, a 17-year-old teenager, could become the youngest Wallaroo to play in a World Cup, being part of a team with an average age of 26 years old. Veterans Marsters and Pomare, who recently surpassed 40 test match appearances, will bring their valuable experience to their third tournament. Caitlin Urwin, the promising Reds winger, was also called up after her outstanding performance in Australia A. However, Arabella McKenzie, a Waratahs player, was not included. Annabelle Codey will follow in the footsteps of her father, David Codey, by participating in a World Cup. Katalina Amosa, sister of Wallabies player Brandon Paenga-Amosa, is one of the three hookers selected. Coach Yapp, who will leave her position after the tournament, expressed her pride in the team and the journey made in the last two years.

Charlotte Caslick [L] headlines Australia's Rugby World Cup squad despite battling a syndesmosis injury

The coach commented: “We have a very special group within this team, diverse in culture and with a wide range of ages and levels of experience in the game.” 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 play against the United States on August 31 and against England, host of the tournament and currently in first place, on September 6 to complete the group stage.