Four Western Australians Named in Wallaroos World Cup Squad

Wallaroos coach Paul Verrell has named his 28-woman squad for the 2017 Rugby World Cup in Ireland in August, with Western Australians Huia Swanell, Ashleigh Timoko, Rebecca Clough and Trilleen Pomare named for the showpiece event.

Wanneroo flyhalf Trilleen Pomare is one of two uncapped players in the squad with Sevens star Mahalia Murphy also selected.

The squad features 156 caps of Test experience with nine having tasted Rugby World Cup action before, as the Wallaroos aim to build on their seventh place finish at the 2014 edition.

Wallaroos coach Paul Verrell said: “We have had some solid preparation during our Test series in New Zealand earlier this month, and had the opportunity to blood some new talent at Test level.

“That tour in New Zealand really showed us the standard of the best three teams in the world and we know what we need to do to reach that level now, so it’s time for the next generation of Wallaroos to really step up.

“We have a really competitive pool with Ireland, France and Japan and we know that there’s no such thing as an easy game at a World Cup. We’re really looking forward to pulling on that gold jersey and doing it proud,” Verrell said.

Forward Mollie Gray returns to the Wallaroos fold, after injury ruled her out of the tour of New Zealand while young guns Kayla Sauvo and Millie Boyle have earned their trip to Ireland following a stand-out series.

Star back Ashleigh Hewson needs just two more points to become the highest-points scorer in Wallaroos history to surpass the tally of former flyer Tricia Brown who scored 65 points.

The squad will convene in Sydney at the end of July for a three-day camp, ahead of flying out for Ireland on August 1.

The Wallaroos are in Pool C alongside hosts Ireland, as well as France and Japan.

Wallaroos 28-woman squad for 2017 Rugby World Cup

Forwards
Millie Boyle, 3 Tests, ACT
Chloe Butler, 9 Tests, South Australia
Cheyenne Campbell, 12 Tests, Queensland
Rebecca Clough, 13 Tests, Western Australia
Mollie Gray, 8 Tests, Australian Services Rugby Union/Sydney
Grace Hamilton, 4 Tests, Sydney
Alisha Hewett, 12 Tests, Australian Services Rugby Union/Queensland
Evelyn Horomia, 2 Tests, Sydney
Kiri Lingman, 3 Tests, Queensland
Hana Ngaha, 4 Tests, Queensland
Shannon Parry, 10 Tests, Aussie 7s/Queensland
Liz Patu, 12 Tests, Queensland
Emily Robinson, 2 Tests, Sydney
Hilisha Samoa, 3 Tests, Queensland
Alexandra Sulusi, 3 Tests, Sydney
Violeta Tupuola, 2 Tests, ACT

Backs
Katrina Barker, 5 Tests, NSW Country
Fenella Hake, 3 Tests, Queensland
Ashleigh Hewson, 15 Tests, Sydney
Nareta Marsters, 4 Tests, Sydney
Mahalia Murphy*, Aussie 7s/Sydney
Trilleen Pomare*, Western Australia
Sarah Riordan, 4 Tests, Australian Services Rugby Union/NSW Country
Kayla Sauvao, 3 Tests, Sydney
Huia Swanell, 2 Tests, Western Australia
Ashleigh Timoko, 1 Test, Western Australia
Samantha Treherne, 3 Tests, Queensland
Sharni Williams, 14 Tests, Aussie 7s/ACT
*denotes uncapped player

2017 Rugby World Cup fixtures
Wallaroos v Ireland at UCD Bowl, Dublin, 10th August, 2am AWST
Wallaroos v France at UCD Bowl, Dublin, 14th August, 2.45am AWST
Wallaroos v Japan at Billings Park UCD, Dublin, 18th August, 12am AWST

https://www.rugbywa.asn.au/news/four...rld-cup-squad/