The seventh Women’s Rugby World Cup kicks-off in Paris on August 1st

Rebels Media Release –

The Rebels are proud to announce two Victorian selections in the Wallaroos squad named today to compete for this year’s Rugby World Cup.

Ashley Marsters and Oneata Schwalger are both selected in the squad, representing further success for Victorian Rugby players following the recent selection of six Victorian representatives in the Combined States U20 Squad and the success of the currently undefeated U15 and U17 Junior Gold Cup squads.

For 20 year old Marsters, who was raised here in Melbourne and was formerly a contracted Australian Rugby Sevens player, the selection came as a very pleasant surprise.

“It actually didn’t hit me straight away that I had been selected for the World Cup,” she said. “I’m just happy that the suspense is over; it was very nerve-wracking waiting for that phone call.”

Marsters is a versatile utility, capable of filling numerous roles in both the backline and as a forward, and is expected to mainly be utilised either in the centres or as a flanker. Schwalger can play at either Number Eight or Prop, and the sister of former All Black John will be looking to make an impact in France.

Both players’ selection followed an extensive selection process that included the Women’s National Championship, a National Selection camp, the National Women’s Sevens Championship and satellite training around the country.

In the lead up to the IRB Women’s Rugby World Cup later this year, the 26-player squad will travel to New Zealand in June to compete against Canada and New Zealand in a Tri-Nations tournament.

This tournament will give the Wallaroos an excellent opportunity to test themselves against the best in the world, New Zealand’s Black Ferns.

Australian Rugby Union CEO, Bill Pulver said he’s excited about the Wallaroos’ prospects for the World Cup.

“The squad trained hard at the National Selection Camp in Canberra and I’m confident they’ll improve on their third place from the last Women’s Rugby World Cup when they head to France in August,” Mr Pulver said.

“They have an excellent coaching team led by Paul Verrell and the Tri-Nations Test series against New Zealand and Canada will be the perfect preparation on their quest for World Cup glory.

“The Australian Rugby community will certainly be cheering hard at every stage of their path to Paris.”

Head Coach Paul Verrell said he and his team were very impressed with the commitment and training of all the players at the National Selection Camp.

“After a careful and considered process we have chosen this squad to take us not only to the Tri-Nations but bring us success at the IRB Women’s World Cup. I’m confident they have the potential to go better than their third place in 2010 and we have every intention of doing so.” he said.

2014 Wallaroos Rugby World Cup Squad to Paris:

Hayley Barclay (*QLD); Tricia Brown (QLD); Louise Burrows (ACT); Chloe Butler (*SYD);
Cheyenne Campbell (QLD); Rebecca Clough (WA); Dalena Dennison (QLD);
Mollie Gray (*ASRU); Natasha Haines (*WA); Alisha Hewett (*ASRU);
Ashleigh Hewson (SYD); Ashley Marsters (*VIC); Nita Maynard (*SYD);
Danielle Meskell (SYD); Michelle Milward (*ACT); Tui Ormsby (SYD); Liz Patu (*QLD);
Emily Robinson (*SYD); Brooke Saunders (*ASRU); Oneata Schwalger (*VIC);
Rebecca Smyth (NSWC); Alexandra Sulusi (*SYD); Kenina Terita (*SYD);
Caroline Vakalahi (ASRU); Madeline Putz (*WA); Margaret Watson (NSWC)

*Uncapped player

Wallaroos dates:

Tri Nations Training Camp, 28-29 May, Sydney Academy of Sport, Narrabeen.
Tri-Nations Tournament, team travels on May 30 to New Zealand.
World Cup Training Camp, 21-27 July Sydney Academy of Sport, Narrabeen.

The IRB Women’s Rugby World Cup commences on August 1. The Wallaroos have France, South Africa and Wales in their World Cup pool.