After revealing a 40-player Wallaroos extended training squad on Tuesday, coach Jo Yapp was asked a series of questions about the makeup of that group, including the non-selection of some HSBC SVNS Series stars who want to play at this year’s Rugby World Cup.
Rugby Australia announced last December that nine members of Australia’s world-renowned sevens side had committed to Super Rugby Women’s clubs for 2025. Unfortunately, all nine didn’t get the chance to play due to injury, including try-scoring machine Maddison Levi.
Levi, who is the reigning World Rugby Sevens Player of the Year, didn’t take the field for the Reds after suffering a hand injury during SVNS Perth. While Levi still hadn’t played 15s at any level, it seems the Queenslander remains in the race for Wallaroos selection down the line.
Younger sister Teagan Levi, Australia Sevens captain Isabella Nasser and Kahli Henwood did suit up for the Reds in Super Rugby Women’s. Demi Hayes didn’t take the field for the ACT Brumbies and Sariah Paki didn’t get the chance to play for the NSW Waratahs.
Yapp explained during a press conference on Tuesday that some of Australia’s SVNS Series stars weren’t made available for selection, but that hasn’t shut the door on their hopes of wearing the gold jersey at this year’s 15 World Cup in England.
“They’re not available for selection for the first camp because they’re going to LA,” Yapp told reporters at Rugby Australia’s headquarters in Sydney.
“Those that haven’t been included in that is because they’re going to LA.
“… This camp now is having these 40 players come in,” she added. “They’re got this commitment for LA because ultimately the sevens have got the [World Championship].
“After that… ultimately we want to set any players up that transition over for success, so how we integrated them and offer them opportunities to put their hand up is going to be really important.”
Three-time Olympian and former Australia Sevens captain Charlotte Caslick headlines the 40-player group, which also includes Paris Games representatives Bienne Terita and Tia Hinds. Hinds captained Australia earlier this months at the SVNS Series event in Singapore.
Caslick and Terita had previously outlined their commitment to 15s by opting out of SVNS Series duty to play Super Rugby Women’s. While Caslick starred for the Reds at fullback, Terita was ultimately recalled to the sevens squad after the Brumbies missed the playoffs.
Revered as one of the greatest talents in the history of women’s sevens, Caslick made a popular move to 15s in a bid to play at the showpiece event. Caslick started a few matches at fullback but Yapp didn’t rule out shifting the 30-year-old to another position.
“Charlotte is the sort of player that does have that versatility,” Yapp added.
“She’s been focusing on 15 which I think was really important for her to do, to try and get an understanding of the game and you could see the growth in her over the last few games, just that understandings of the positioning.
“I think she says herself, there’s a lot of information to take on board and I’ve been really impressed with how she’s managed to do that.”
From the 40 players Yapp selected, 11 are uncapped, giving them the opportunity to push for higher honours with the World Cup only a matter of months away. Emily Chancellor is among those experienced Wallaroos returning to the national frame after missing the 2024 season.
The NSW Waratahs and ACT Brumbies have 13 players each represented in the training camp, while the Queensland Reds have nine and the Western Force five. Piper Duck (shoulder) and Brianna Hoy (knee) are among the five players deemed unavailable due to injury.
“After a very competitive and successful Super Rugby Women’s competition we have selected a squad that can continue the momentum built off the WXV 2 win last year,” Yapp said in a statement.
“It’s an exciting year for women’s rugby and the preparation we have with seven Test matches over the next three months is going to be crucial ahead of the World Cup.
“The squad is a mix of youth and experience with some new and returning players earning their opportunities.
“We are looking forward to seeing these players connect and grow throughout the upcoming camps and Pacific Four Series.”
