Photo Credit: Rugby Australia
Sydney University Football Club has provided five players in the Wallaroos women’s rugby squad for 2019.
Emily Chancellor, Grace Hamilton, Fi Jones, Sera Naiqama and Iliseva Batibasaga were named in the 44-strong squad named yesterday, with Naiqama one of 16 uncapped players in the group.
The Wallaroos will host Japan in a two-Test series this year, with matches at Newcastle Sportsground on 13 July and North Sydney Oval on 19 July, followed by Tests against New Zealand at Optus Stadium, Perth, on 10 August and Eden Park, Auckland, on 17 August.
The New Zealand series will be double-headers with the Wallabies and All Blacks.
The squad was selected after the Super W season final on Sunday, when the NSW Waratahs Women defeated Queensland Women 8-5 at Leichhardt Oval.
Wallaroos head coach Dwayne Nestor said the standard of the Super W season had allowed selectors to choose a strong extended squad for the upcoming Tests.
“We saw the standard of the competition continue to grow and that has led to an improved squad of players to select from,” the coach said.
“This squad is about preparing not only for our biggest year on home soil, but also making sure we are continuing to build a strong program for the 2021 Women’s Rugby World Cup.
“Players will come and go from this squad based on their form and performance so it’s vital that every player continue to work hard at training over the coming months. We are excited about the year ahead and we know we have a real opportunity to create some amazing history for the Wallaroos jersey.”
