Buildcorp Wallaroos Head Coach, Jay Tregonning has today confirmed his 32-player squad for the upcoming Test series against Fiji and Japan.
The NSW Waratahs are well represented in the first Wallaroo’s squad of 2022, with a total of 15 players selected off the back of another strong campaign in the Buildcorp Super W competition.
The eagerly awaited return of the Buildcorp Wallaroos will be made extra special with the the program also confirming that they will wear the iconic Gold Jersey, which has become synonymous with Australian Rugby in the side’s first Test match against the Fijiana at Suncorp Stadium on Friday 6 May
The new-look Buildcorp Wallaroos squad includes 22 uncapped players, who are all eager to make their long-awaited debuts for the program and cement their place in the squad for the upcoming Rugby World Cup in New Zealand.
NSW Waratahs Georgia Friedrichs and Sera Naiqama will be in contention for their long-awaited test debuts being key figures within the Wallaroos outfit for the last two years.
Experienced fly-half Trillian Pomare returns to the group for the first time under Jay Tregonning, and will be joined by Western Force teammate Tamika Jones who forced her way into the national fold after a dominant showing in Buildcorp Super W.
Queensland Reds captain Shannon Parry will bring another level of experience to this young squad looking for her first test cap since 2017.
The newly formed squad will assemble on the Gold Coast on Saturday 30 April as they finalise their preparations for the upcoming matches, following a training camp earlier this year.
The Fijiana Test will be the first for the Buildcorp Wallaroos, before the team take on Japan at Bond University on the Gold Coast on Tuesday 10 May.
Buildcorp Wallaroos head coach Jay Tregonning said: “The coaching group has been impressed by the amount of quality rugby throughout the Buildcorp Super W season; it’s certainly made selection decisions challenging.”
“These two Test matches are crucial to our Rugby World Cup preparation. We are fortunate that we can welcome Fiji and Japan, two strong rugby nations, who are also competing at the Rugby World Cup, to Australian shores.
“I know both matches will be incredibly competitive and a real treat for our fans and supporters.”
Andy Marinos Rugby Australia Chief Executive said: “I am delighted to see such a promising Buildcorp Wallaroos squad selected off the back of a competitive Buildcorp Super W season and I cannot wait to see them in action at Suncorp Stadium in our gold jersey.
“Across the business we’ve spoken about this iconic jersey being about our history and our future. It is fantastic that now we have all our national teams representing Australia in the same golden thread.”
Squad Summary Total Test caps: 116 Uncapped players: 22 Average Test caps: 10 Most capped: Liz Patu (22 caps) Breakdown: Brumbies 6, NSW Waratahs 15, Queensland Reds 8, Melbourne Rebels 2, Western Force 2
Buildcorp Wallaroos May Squad
Iliseva Batibasaga – NSW Waratahs
Emily Chancellor - NSW Waratahs
Annabelle – Codey Queensland Reds
Lori Cramer – NSW Waratahs
Piper Duck – NSW Waratahs
Georgina Friedrichs – NSW Waratahs
Grace Hamilton – NSW Waratahs
Tamika Jones – Western Force
Asoiva (Eva) Karpani – NSW Waratahs
Janita Kareta – Melbourne Rebels
Grace Kemp - Brumbies
Kaitlan Leaney – NSW Waratahs
Michaela Leonard - Brumbies
Ashley Marsters - Rebels
Lilyann Mason-Spice - Brumbies
Jemima McCalman - Brumbies
Arabella McKenzie – NSW Waratahs
Tirana Molloy - Queensland Red
Layne Morgan- NSW Waratahs
Mahalia Murphy - NSW Waratahs
Sera Naiqama – NSW Waratahs
Bridie O'Gorman – NSW Waratahs
Pesi Palu - Brumbies
Shannon Parry - Queensland Reds
Liz Patu – Queensland Reds
Pauline Pilae – NSW Waratahs
Trilleen Pomare – Western Force
Madison Schuck – Queensland Reds
Cecilia Smith - Queensland Reds
Adriana Talakai – NSW Waratahs
Melanie Wilks - Queensland Reds
Ivania Wong – Queensland Red
