Rugby sevens superstar Charlotte Caslick has achieved almost everything in that particular discipline.
Olympic gold medallist. World Series champion. Household name. Now for the dream of winning a World Cup with the Wallaroos.
And it could get awkward.
On Thursday, Caslick will greet her new Wallaroos teammates in Canberra, having been named in an extended squad of 40 ahead of the side’s first Test of the year against Fiji in Suva on May 3.
Caslick already knows many of them, having starred for the Queensland Reds during this year’s Super Rugby Women’s competition.
Wallaroos head coach Jo Yapp made no secret of wanting to bolster her side with proven sevens performers ahead of the World Cup, which takes place later this August and September in the UK.
Charlotte Caslick in action for the Queensland Reds. Credit: Getty Images
Let the jostling for jerseys begin.
“We’ve been really transparent through this whole process,” Yapp said. “It’s not like all of a sudden we’re just bringing them in. We’ve been really clear with the players. They recognise that for us to be successful, we want to take the best players to the World Cup, and if they’re part of that squad, then they’re part of the squad.
“Even just knowing that those [sevens] players are putting their hand up, we’ve seen real growth because the competition for places is there.”
Something had to change for the Wallaroos, given Australia’s women’s XVs team have never looked like dominating on the world stage. They lost six of their first seven games of 2024, including 48 and 64-point thumpings at the hands of New Zealand.
Squad for Wallaroos training camp
Waratahs: Ruby Anderson, Emily Chancellor, Annabelle Codey, Waairia Ellis, Georgina Friedrichs, Caitlyn Halse, Tia Hinds, Arabella McKenzie, Bridie O’Gorman, Siokapasi Palu, Faliki Pohiva, Maya Stewart, Adiana Talakai, Bienne Terita.
Reds: Bree-Anna Browne, Charlotte Caslick, Lori Cramer, Zoe Hanna, Eva Karpani, Tiarah Minns, Layne Morgan, Tiarna Molloy, Natalie Wright.
Brumbies: Katalina Amosa, Biola Dawa, Ashley Fernandez, Martha Fua, Lydia Kavoa, Manua Moleka, Tania Naden, Tiarna Molloy, Faitala Moleka, Ella Ryan, Tabua Tuinakauvadra.
Force: Michaela Leonard, Ashley Masters, Alapeta Ngauamo, Trilleen Pomare, Cecilia Smith.
From seven World Cups, Australia has only made one semi-final. Their highest world ranking was No.3 in 2004. Now they are sixth.
Caslick, arguably Australia’s greatest female sevens player, is the headline inclusion in the extended squad. Add to that Tia Hinds, who has pulled out of next month’s Los Angeles Sevens tournament and committed to the Wallaroos’. Bienne Terita is also a seasoned sevens pro, having already represented the Wallaroos.
If a Wallaroos team were picked today, would Caslick be in it?
“Anyone that’s coming into the 40 is there and thereabouts in terms of selection,” a measured Yapp said.
Teagan Levi, Charlotte Caslick and Maddison Levi and signalled their intent to play for the Wallaroos this year.Credit: Dion Georgopoulos
“Obviously, Charlotte is the sort of player that does have that versatility. She’s been focusing on [playing at number] 15. You can see the growth in her over the last few games.”
Yapp has to tread a fine line between talking up the sevens inclusions and ensuring they work hard for their positions. It has always been the case for coaches wanting to bolster their squads with outside talent without upsetting the regulars.
There are, however, more troops to come. The Levi sisters – Maddi and Teagan – are likely to play for the Wallaroos this year in the lead-up to the World Cup, but when remains a mystery. Kahli Henwood and Bella Nasser are also in the frame.
After the LA sevens tournament, the Levi sisters will be eligible, but Yapp says she isn’t prepared to throw someone in like Maddi straight away, despite her remarkable try-scoring feats in recent years.
Wallaroos 2025 Test schedule
Australia vs Fiji, May 3, 3pm AEST (HFC Bank Stadium, Suva)
Australia vs New Zealand, May 10, 3pm AEST (McDonald Jones Stadium, Newcastle)
Australia vs USA, May 17, 4:55pm AEST (GIO Stadium, Canberra)
Australia vs Canada, May 23, 4:55pm AEST (Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane)
Australia vs New Zealand, July 12, 2:30pm AEST (Sky Stadium, Wellington)
Australia vs Wales, July 26, 2pm AEST (Ballymore Stadium, Brisbane)
Australia vs Wales, August 1, 7pm AEST (North Sydney Oval)
WORLD CUP
Australia vs Samoa, August 23, 9pm AEST (Salford Community Stadium, Manchester)
Australia vs USA, August 31, 4:30am AEST (York Community Stadium, York)
Australia vs England, September 7, 2am AEST (Brighton and Hove Stadium, Brighton and Hove)
Australia’s Test against the USA on May 17 in Canberra could be an option if Yapp wanted to fast-track the process.
“Ultimately, we want to make sure we’re setting Maddi up for success,” Yapp said. “Bringing her straight in to play a Test match without any real XVs exposure or experience … wouldn’t be fair on her. If we’re bringing her in, we need to give her opportunities to train with the group first.
“We know that we’ve got a strong back line that has been performing well. When you look at Maya [Stewart], Desi [Desiree Miller], G-Fred [Georgina Friedrichs] and C-Smith [Cecilia Smith] … they’re strong players for us. What it does is allow us to create some depth in areas that we’ve not had.”
Australia have seven Tests before the World Cup begins, which will see the Wallaroos take on Samoa, England, and the USA in pool matches.
“We know that the pool we’re in is a challenge and the USA game is a critical one for us,” Yapp said. “Ultimately, it’s us making sure we get out of the pool, and then we’ve got a real chance of getting into the top four.”
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