Congratulations to Sydney University’s Nicole Beck, Alexandra Hargreaves and Amanda Judd who were selected as members of the Australian Women’s Rugby Sevens, World Cup Team.
Long-time Paper-to-Paper Wallaroos skipper Cheryl Soon will lead Australia, as she did during last year’s stunning upset of the pre-tournament fancies New Zealand at the Oceania women’s Sevens qualifying tournament in Samoa.
Australia twice beat New Zealand at that tournament, 15-5 during the qualifying, and then 22-15 in a tight final, which was decided when Sydney University winger Nicole Beck sped away for the winning try in the final minute of play.
Sydney University winger Selene Thornton, who also played at the Oceania Sevens, has missed selection.
While Australia, like most of the women’s World Cup participants, lacks major Sevens history; the side selected today boasts a wealth of international and World Cup experience.Seven of the players selected – Tricia Brown (2006), Alex Hargreaves (2002, 2006), Debby Hogkinson (2002), Tui Ormsby (1998, 2002), Ruan Sims (2006), Cheryl Soon (2002, 2006) and Selena Tranter (1998, 2002, 2006) – have previously appeared at the 15-aside women’s Rugby World Cup.
New Australia women’s Sevens coach Jason Stanton says competition for places in the squad was tight, forcing some tough selection calls to be made.
“It hasn’t been an easy side to select, but hopefully that is a good sign as to how we’ll go,” Stanton says.
“The girls have worked extremely hard up until now and will continue to do so right up until the tournament starts.”
16-teams will compete in the inaugural women’s Rugby World Cup Sevens, which will be conducted alongside the men’s event at Dubai in the United Arab Emirates on March 6-7.
The squad assembles at the AIS in Canberra on 24 February, where it will prepare alongside the Australian men’s team, before departing for the Rugby World Cup from Sydney on Sunday 1 March.
The Australian women’s Sevens squad for the Rugby World Cup Sevens at Dubai in the UAE on March 6-7 is: Cheryl Soon (NSW, captain), Nicole Beck (NSW), Tricia Brown (Queensland), Bo De la Cruz (NSW), Alexandra Hargreaves (NSW), Debby Hogkinson (Western Australia), Amanda Judd (NSW), Shelley Matchem (Western Australia), Tui Ormsby (NSW), Ruan Sims (NSW), Rebecca Tavo (Queensland), Selena Tranter (Queensland).
Further Information: Matt McILraith, ph 0424 062 003