Dinnen named among four Force players in Wallaroos squad for WXV2

Mon, Sep 2, 2024, 6:15 AM
Ben Somerford

https://westernforce.rugby/news/dinn...ad-wxv2-202491

Four Western Force players have been named in the Wallaroos’ 30-player squad for WXV2 in South Africa and the upcoming tour of Ireland and Wales in September and October.

The squad boasts experience, led by captain Michaela Leonard and vice-captain Trilleen Pomare, who have more than 50 Test caps between them.

Both Pomare and fellow veteran Ashley Marsters sit on 29 Test caps each and are eyeing the chance to overtake Liz Patu as most-capped players in Australian history.

Leonard and Pomare are joined in the squad by uncapped Force duo Alapeta Ngauamo and Lucy Dinnen, with the latter earning a recall.

Dinnen comes back into the Wallaroos fold and is eyeing a Test debut after being in extended squads in the lead-up to the 2022 Rugby World Cup previously.

Dinnen, 31, moved to Perth prior to the 2024 Super W season where she played six games and has played locally with Wanneroo in the Fortescue Women's Premier Grade. She previously played for the Queensland Reds and won the Super W Player of the Year in 2021.

Front-rower Ngauamo received her maiden call-up in June in an extended squad for a training camp in Canberra. She also switched Queensland for Perrth prior to the 2024 season, where she excelled with six appearances and a try for the Force.

Wallaroos coach Jo Yapp said: “We are looking forward to playing against different teams in the second half of our season and with next year’s Rugby World Cup our long-term focus.

“The ability to travel overseas for most of our squad is a new experience and the upcoming matches against Ireland and Wales provides us with valuable match time before WXV in South Africa.

“We have had to make a few forced changes to the travelling squad due to injury which is disappointing, but we are also focused on those next in line and bringing out the best in them.”

The Wallaroos depart for Belfast on September 6, playing against Ireland on September 14 before turning their attention to a Test match in Wales on September 20.

Yapp's side will clash with Wales again in the opening round of WXV in Cape Town before matches against South Africa and Scotland.

2024 WALLAROOS SQUAD – WXV AND IRELAND AND WALES

Lori Cramer (#172 - University of Queensland) – 23 caps

Biola Dawa (#211 - Wagga Reddies) – 2 caps

Lucy Dinnen* (Wanneroo) – uncapped

Ashley Fernandez* (Uni-North Owls) – uncapped

Georgina Friedrichs (#178 - Wests Bulldogs) – 24 caps

Sally Fuesaina (Campbelltown Harlequins) – 3 caps

Caitlyn Halse (#210 – Southern Districts) – 2 caps

Brianna Hoy (#203 - Coffs Harbour Snappers) – 8 caps

Eva Karpani (#171 - Onkaparinga) – 26 caps

Lydia Kavoa (#214 - Eastern Suburbs) – 1 cap

Atasi Lafai (#161 - Campbelltown Harlequins) – 14 caps

Kaitlan Leaney (#179 - CSU Marlins) – 20 caps

Michaela Leonard (c) (#168 - Tuggeranong Vikings) – 27 caps

Ashley Marsters (#117 - Booroondarra) – 29 caps

Arabella McKenzie (#175 - Lightning Ridge Tigers) – 26 caps

Desiree Miller (#204 - Eastern Suburbs) – 7 caps

Tiarah Minns* (Manly Marlins) – uncapped

Faitala Moleka (#199 - Blacktown Scorpions) – 11 caps

Tiarna Molloy (#191 - Inverell Highlands) – 3 caps

Layne Morgan (#188 - Merewether Carlton) – 26 caps

Tania Naden (#197 - Uni-North Owls) – 15 caps

Leilani Nathan (#202 - Hamilton Hawks) – 7 caps

Alapeta Ngauamo* (Wests Bulldogs) – uncapped

Bridie O'Gorman (#180 - Sydney University) – 22 caps

Siokapesi Palu (#194 - Rockdale Rangers) – 11 caps

Trilleen Pomare (#155 - Wanneroo) – 29 caps

Cecilia Smith (#190 - Leeton Dianas) – 15 caps

Maya Stewart (#196 - Nelson Bay Gropers) – 11 caps

Tabua Tuinakauvadra (#200 - Tuggeranong Vikings) – 6 caps

Natalie Wright (#213 - Wests Bulldogs) – 2 caps

*denotes potential debutant

WALLAROOS TOUR OF IRELAND AND WALES

Saturday September 14 - Australia v Ireland at Kingspan Stadium, Belfast (9:30pm AWST)

Saturday, September 21 - Australia v Wales at Rodney Parade, Newport (2:00am AWST)

WALLAROOS WXV SCHEDULE

Saturday, September 28 - Australia v Wales at DHL Stadium, Cape Town (6:30pm AWST)

Saturday, October 5 - Australia v South Africa at Athlone Stadium, Cape Town (11:00pm AWST)

Sunday, October 13 - Australia v Scotland at Athlone Stadium, Cape Town (12:00am AEWT)

*Please note all dates and times are AWST (Your welcome )