Brumbies Womens backrow duo, Shellie Milward and Georgia O’Neill have been selected in the Wallaroos extended squad for their upcoming series with New Zealand.
The squad has been narrowed to 28 players by head coach Dwayne Nestor, as Australia prepares for the historic two game battle against the Black Ferns kicking off in August in Sydney.
The Wallaroos will play alongside the Wallabies for the first time on Australian soil when they run out at ANZ Stadium on Saturday August 18 for the double header clash in what will be Australia’s 50th Test match.
There are 13 uncapped players, including O’Neill who’ll join the squad alongside the experience of World cup veterans such as Kirby Sefo, Cobie-Jane Morgan, Rebecca Clough, Mahalia Murphy and Grace Hamilton.
The following week the Wallaroos will return to Eden Park in Auckland where they played in 2016 to round out the Series.
Players have been part of satellite training sessions across the country, linked with their various state High Performances coaches, as they continued training for the 2018 Internationals, combined with club Rugby commitments.
Buildcorp Super W round two; Brumbies Women v Queensland Women at GIO Stadium, Canberra. Brumbies captain Michelle Milward leads out her team.
Wallaroos Head Coach, Dwayne Nestor said: “I’ve been impressed with the work rate of the squad as they have continued their training programs and putting it into action at Club Rugby level.
“The squad we are taking into camp is a great balance of youth and experience and one capable of playing some very good Rugby in August.
“Having talked to every member of the squad, there is just an overwhelming sense of excitement to continue the hard work heading into that first Test in Sydney.
“Outside of their actions on the field, this squad has a real commitment to wanting to influence the next generation of players to pick up a Rugby ball and play our game.“
We saw from the 2018 Buildcorp Super W just what exciting Rugby is being played by our Women’s XVs players and now the challenge is to take it up to the next level when we represent our country.
Tickets for the historic double header of matches with the Buildcorp Wallaroos and Qantas Wallabies can be purchased through Ticketek.
2018 Buildcorp Wallaroos Squad for New Zealand Series
Mhicca Carter*, Western Australia, Cottesloe
Emily Chancellor*, NSW, Sydney University
Rebecca Clough, Western Australia, Cottesloe
Georgia Cormick*, Melbourne Rebels
Melissa Fatu*, NSW, Parramatta
Kendra Fell*, Western Australia, Palmyra
Toa Filimoehala*, Queensland, Brothers
Fenella Hake, Queensland
Grace Hamilton, NSW, Sydney University
Alisha Hewett, Queensland, GPS
Evelyn Horomia, NSW, Parramatta
Fi Jones*, NSW, Sydney University
Atasi Lafai*, NSW, Campbelltown
Kiri Lingman, Queensland, Sunnybank
Crystal Maguire*, NSW, Warringah
Shellie Milward, ACT, Tuggeranong Vikings
Cobie-Jane Morgan, NSW, Warringah
Mahalia Murphy, NSW, Campbelltown
Hana Ngaha, Queensland, Sunnybank
Georgia O’Neill*, ACT, Uni-Norths Owls
Shanice Parker*, NSW, Warringah
Liz Patu, Queensland, Wests
Trilleen Pomare, Western Australia, Kalamunda
Sarah Riordan, Queensland, ADFR
Emily Robinson, NSW, Warringah
Alice Tonumaivao*, Melbourne Rebels
Samantha Treherne, Queensland, Sunnybank
Darryl Wickliffe*, Western Australia, Kalamunda
