Jo Yapp Awaits 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 Wallaroos for the crucial stage of the Women’s Rugby World Cup, after an ankle fracture prevented the outstanding attacking player from traveling to England.
The Wallaroos departed Sydney on Monday for the global event that begins on August 22, but Caslick was a notable absentee from the team as she recovered from surgery for a syndesmosis ligament injury.
The three-time Olympian and 2016 rugby sevens gold medalist was ruled out after revealing she had fractured her leg and doctors declared she had no chance of participating in Australia’s first two matches against Samoa and the United States.
In sport, sometimes the toughest opponent is time. I am very sad and disappointed to share that I will not be joining the girls in England for the RWC. Four weeks ago I fractured my fibula and tore my syndesmosis. We set out to turn a 10-12 week recovery into six, but we decided on Friday that it is best for me and the team to make the decision now, as I will not be available for the opening rounds.
Charlotte Caslick
Caslick was initially included in the team, before the difficult decision was made to leave her in Australia.
Yapp commented at Sydney airport: “I really feel sorry for Charlotte because we know how brave her decision was. She fully embraced the game of 15 (players).”
“He gave it his all and I have a lot of respect for that, and I hope this isn’t really the end of his career in the 15s.”
With the Wallaroos needing two wins from their three group matches against Samoa, the United States and favourites England to reach the quarter-finals, Yapp says Caslick could still feature if they reach the knockout stages starting on September 13.
“That’s what we expect,” said the coach.
“She continues with an accelerated return. She is not within the 32, so it would require an injury for Charlotte to join us, but if she continues as she is doing, then yes.”
The 30-year-old player had paused her sevens career, switching full-time to the 15-player code this year to add influence to the Wallaroos’ Cup charge.
Caslick had played five games and was starting to find his place in the center, scoring with his first touch against New Zealand before suffering the injury at the end of that same game last month.
But the talent from the back line, who last week said rehabilitation was on the way, has been replaced by the unselected teenage center Manu’a Moleka, who joins her sister Faitala in the Wallaroos team.
“We are very fortunate and excited that Manu’a can join us for the World Cup,” said Yapp.
“Manu’a has been part of the touring team since the start of the international test season and totally deserves his opportunity.”
Australia, whose best result is third place in seven 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.
