Newly appointed NSW Waratahs Women’s Head Coach, Campbell Aitken has named a preliminary 47-player pre-season squad for the 2020 Buildcorp Super W season.
The squad will begin training in late-November in preparation for their third campaign, as they look to continue their undefeated run over the past two seasons.
The 2019 Champions will have do it without skipper and fullback, Ash Hewson who has announced her retirement from Super W along with Alexandra Sulusi.
Even with the departure of former Wallaroos in Hewson and Sulusi, the NSW squad features eight current internationals including Grace Hamilton, Emily Chancellor, Emily Robinson and Mahalia Murphy.
Aitken’s squad will be bolstered by the return of Atasi Lafi and Ariana Kaiwai, with the pair returning from long-term injuries – part of a group of several internationally capped players on board for 2020.
The likes of Sera Naiqama, Maya Stewart, Fi Jones and Arabella McKenzie will all return slightly beyond the main group, following their participation in the Oceania Rugby Women’s Championship in Laukota during November.
Georgina Friedrichs joins the squad from the Australian Sevens set up, following her first season with Randwick Magic in the Jack Scott Cup.
Lillyann Mason-Spice, Piper Duck and Layne Morgan all arrive in the NSW Waratah Women’s set up for the first time – part of a brigade of young talent making their mark in the Jack Scott and Chikarovski Cup.
NSW Waratahs Women’s Head Coach, Campbell Aitken said that the make up of his squad showed how the state’s development pathways were beginning to take shape.
“It’s been something that Matt [Evrard] and Tim [Rapp] have put a lot of work into in recent years and we’re beginning to reap the rewards,” Aitken said.
“We’ve got great representation from NSW Country along with some exciting young players, who all got their opportunity at the Chikarovski Cup – it’s a really valuable part of our pathway and selection process for Super W.
“There’s a wealth of experience with the likes of Grace [Hamilton], Emily [Robinson] and Mahalia [Murphy] along with plenty of players within or on the fringes of the national team.
“We’ve got 11 players at the Oceania Rugby Championships this month, so their experience in that tournament into a solid pre-season can only benefit them coming into Super W.”
The current squad will be reduced to 30-players in the lead up to the 2020 Buildcorp Super W season.
NSW Waratahs Women 2020 Super W pre-season squad:
Aaliyah Faamausili - Randwick
Adiana Talakai - Sydney Uni
Arabella McKenzie - Randwick
Ariana Kaiwai - Blacktown
Atasi Lafai - Campbelltown
Barbara Waddell - Sydney Uni
Bridie O'Gorman - Sydney Uni
Chloe Leaupepe - Western Sydney
Claudia Bell - Sydney Uni
Courtney Frankl - Eastern Suburbs
Emily McDonald - Central West
Emily Chancellor - Sydney Uni
Emily Robinson - Warringah
Eva Karpani - Randwick
Evelyn Horomia - Western Sydney
Fi Jones - Sydney Uni
Georgina Friedrichs - Randwick
Grace Hamilton - Sydney Uni
Iliseva Batibasaga - Sydney Uni
Jade Huggins - Western Sydney
Jemima McCalman - Sydney Uni
Jemima Henry - Campbelltown
Katrina Barker - Hunter
Kennedy Cherrington - Randwick
Kirrily Laws - Sydney Uni
Layne Morgan - Randwick
Leilani Nathan - Hunter
Lillyann Mason-Spice - Central West
Madeline Wilson - Sydney Uni
Mahalia Murphy - Hunter
Maya Stewart - Hunter
Melissa Fatu - Western Sydney
Mikaela Trbojevich - Warringah
Moniqca Mo'ale - Randwick
Nicole Nathan - Hunter
Noella Green - Sydney Uni
Olivia White - Southern Districts
Oneata Schwalger - Randwick
Pauline Pilia’e - Blacktown
Piper Duck - Sydney Uni
Sera Naiqama - Sydney Uni
Shanice Parker - Warringah
Shenay Ball - Central Coast
Taz Sheppard - Sydney Uni
Tina Campbell - Eastern Suburbs
Tisera Volkman - Sydney Uni
Violeta Tupuola - Gordon
