Caslick misses Rugby World Cup: Injury halts dream with Wallaroos

Jo Yapp Anticipates Charlotte Caslick’s Return for the Women’s Rugby World Cup Final Stage

Wallaroos coach Jo Yapp remains hopeful that Charlotte Caslick will rejoin the team for the crucial stage of the Women’s Rugby World Cup, following an ankle injury that prevented her from traveling to England. The Wallaroos departed from Sydney on Monday for the global event, which began on August 22. However, Caslick was a notable absence from the team due to her recovery from a syndesmosis surgery. The three-time Olympian and gold medalist in rugby sevens in 2016 was ruled out after revealing that she fractured her leg. Doctors stated that she had no chance of participating in Australia’s first two group stage matches against Samoa and the United States.

In sports, sometimes the toughest opponent is time.

Charlotte Caslick

The player shared her sorrow on social media:

Charlotte Caslick’s Post

Caslick was initially included in the team, but the difficult decision was made to leave her in Australia. Yapp commented at Sydney airport:

I really feel for Charlotte, because we know how brave her decision was. She fully embraced the 15 (players) game.

Jo Yapp

With the Wallaroos needing two wins from their three group matches against Samoa, the United States and England (the title favorites) to reach the quarter-finals, Yapp says Caslick could still feature if the team advances to the knockout stages, which begin on September 13. The coach added:

That’s what we expect.

Jo Yapp

The 30-year-old player had paused her career in rugby sevens, dedicating herself full-time to the 15-a-side code this year to reinforce the Wallaroos team in the Cup. Caslick had played five matches and was beginning to adapt to the center position, scoring in her first contact against New Zealand before suffering the injury at the end of that same match last month.

The team’s talent, which last week affirmed that the rehabilitation was going well, has been replaced by teenage center Manu’a Moleka, who joins her sister Faitala in the Wallaroos team. Yapp expressed:

We are very fortunate and excited that Manu’a can join us for the World Cup.

Jo Yapp

Australia, whose best result is third place in seven World Cup appearances, begins its campaign against Samoa in Manchester on August 23. The Wallaroos will then face the United States in York on August 30 and the tournament hosts in Brighton on September 6.