Sydney University Women’s Rugby Club has five players in the Wallaroos extended squad for a training camp on the Gold Coast in August.
Lock Emily Chancellor, halfback Iliseva Batibasaga, five-eighth Ash Hewson, Lope Leaitaua and Mollie Grey were named in the squad to train at Bond University in preparation for a three-match tour to New Zealand in October that will include a fixture at Auckland’s Eden Park against the Black Ferns.
At the end of the training camp, head coach Paul Verrell will reduce the squad down to the 26 players who will head across the Tasman.
“The high standard of play at this year’s National Championships made for some very tough decisions on the selection front and reflects the growing depth we have within this squad,” the coach said.
“I’m expecting the level of intensity at the camp to be intense with the stakes so high. This is a huge year for women’s XVs rugby. We have this important tour to New Zealand as well as the Women’s Rugby World Cup on the horizon.”
SUWRC had 10 players in the Sydney representative side that recently won the Women’s National Championship with a 35-3 result over ACT in the final at St Ignatius College Riverview.
The Sydney University players were Ashleigh Hewson (capt), Emily Chancellor, Fiona Jones, Grace Hamilton, Michelle Bailey, Lope Leiataua, Brittany Leauanae, Iliseva Batibasaga, Kimberley Davey and Sera Naiqama.
Sydney went through the tournament undefeated, conceding just eight points in their pool matches and finals fixtures.