Sevens stars and Olympians Charlotte Caslick and Tia Hinds make Wallaroos 40-player squad in World Cup year
Australian sevens star Tia Hinds has opted to miss Australia's world championship push at the Los Angeles finale and will instead join fellow Olympian Charlotte Caslick in pursuit of a Wallaroos World Cup berth.
Two-time Olympian Hinds, 22, who captained Australia's sevens outfit in their last event in Singapore this month, joins Olympic gold medallist Caslick and fellow sevens gun Bienne Terita in the 40-player Wallaroos squad ahead of Australia's first Test of the season against Fijiana on May 3 in Suva.
That's the same weekend as the sevens showdown in LA but Australia will forge on without Hinds who, like Caslick, has made the foray in to Super Rugby with the World Cup their aim and is among 11 uncapped players in the squad.
Coach Jo Yapp will reduce the squad to 30 prior to the Wallaroos' clash with Fijiana before a further six players can be added to the Wallaroos squad for the Pacific Four series.
'It's an exciting year for women's rugby and the preparation we have with seven Test matches over the next three months is going to be crucial ahead of the World Cup,' Yapp said.
'The squad is a mix of youth and experience with some new and returning players earning their opportunities.
'We are looking forward to seeing these players connect and grow throughout the upcoming camps and Pacific Four series.'
The Wallaroos will play at least 10 Test matches in 2025, including three fixtures at the World Cup in August and September, following on from 10 Test matches played in 2024.
WALLAROOS SQUAD
Katalina Amosa, Ruby Anderson, Bree-Anna Browne, Charlotte Caslick, Emily Chancellor, Lori Cramer, Annabelle Codey, Biola Dawa, Waiaria Ellis, Ashley Fernandez, Georgina Friedrichs, Martha Fua, Caitlyn Halse, Zoe Hanna, Tia Hinds, Eva Karpani, Lydia Kavoa, Kaitlan Leaney, Michaela Leonard, Ashley Marsters, Arabella McKenzie, Desiree Miller, Tiarah Minns, Faitala Moleka, Manua Moleka, Tiarna Molloy, Layne Morgan, Tania Naden, Alapeta Ngauamo, Bridie O'Gorman, Siokapesi Palu, Faliki Pohiva, Trilleen Pomare, Ella Ryan, Cecilia Smith, Maya Stewart, Adiana Talakai, Bienne Terita, Tabua Tuinakauvadra, Natalie Wright
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The Advertiser
2 hours ago
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The 32-year-old also becomes the first captain since England's Bob Willis in 1982 to take a five-wicket haul at Lord's. One of Cummins' six victims was Kyle Verreynne, who had to go after being trapped lbw. As Cummins was appealing, he and Verreynne collided with each other and tumbled over. The umpire gave the South Africa wicketkeeper not out, but Cummins successfully appealed. Starting day two in serious trouble at 4-43, the Proteas were able to frustrate Australia's star-studded bowling attack in the first session and move to 5-121 at lunch in pursuit of 212. But Cummins inspired a collapse of 5-12 to put Australia in pole position to defend the WTC title they won in 2023. David Bedingham (45) top scored for South Africa, while Proteas captain Temba Bavuma survived a controversial DRS decision. Adjudged lbw on 16 off Josh Hazlewood, Bavuma left it late to review, but eventually took the decision upstairs with four seconds remaining. The ball would have been smashing into the stumps, but a spike on snicko incredibly meant Bavuma had survived. Former England captain Alastair Cook said during radio commentary he didn't believe Bavuma had hit it. But after looking promising, highlighted by smashing opposing captain Cummins for six, Bavuma (36) scooped a drive to cover where Marnus Labuschagne pulled off a terrific diving catch. South Africa, who won seven-straight Tests to qualify for the final, are attempting to break a title drought in ICC tournaments dating back to 1998. This AAP article was made possible by support from Amazon Prime Video, which is broadcasting the World Test Championship final. Pat Cummins has become the eighth Australian to take 300 Test wickets after demolishing South Africa in the World Test Championship final at Lord's. Australia have secured a first-innings lead of 74, skittling the Proteas for 138 midway through the second session of day two on Thursday. The evergreen fast-bowling machine of Cummins, Josh Hazlewood, and Mitchell Starc proved no match for South Africa, who ended the WTC cycle on top of the table. While Starc started the destruction on Wednesday evening, Cummins (6-28) was relentless in finishing the job. It was the 14th five-wicket haul of Cummins' brilliant 68-Test career. The first fast-bowler to captain Australia long-term, Cummins joins the country's greats in reaching 300 wickets. Shane Warne (708 wickets) and Glenn McGrath (563) sit one and two, while Cummins' teammates Nathan Lyon (553) and Mitchell Starc (384) are next in line. Dennis Lillee (355), Mitchell Johnson (313) and Brett Lee (310) are the others to take more than 300. Out of those eight players, only McGrath has a better average (21.64) than Cummins (22.08). The 32-year-old also becomes the first captain since England's Bob Willis in 1982 to take a five-wicket haul at Lord's. One of Cummins' six victims was Kyle Verreynne, who had to go after being trapped lbw. As Cummins was appealing, he and Verreynne collided with each other and tumbled over. The umpire gave the South Africa wicketkeeper not out, but Cummins successfully appealed. Starting day two in serious trouble at 4-43, the Proteas were able to frustrate Australia's star-studded bowling attack in the first session and move to 5-121 at lunch in pursuit of 212. But Cummins inspired a collapse of 5-12 to put Australia in pole position to defend the WTC title they won in 2023. David Bedingham (45) top scored for South Africa, while Proteas captain Temba Bavuma survived a controversial DRS decision. Adjudged lbw on 16 off Josh Hazlewood, Bavuma left it late to review, but eventually took the decision upstairs with four seconds remaining. The ball would have been smashing into the stumps, but a spike on snicko incredibly meant Bavuma had survived. Former England captain Alastair Cook said during radio commentary he didn't believe Bavuma had hit it. But after looking promising, highlighted by smashing opposing captain Cummins for six, Bavuma (36) scooped a drive to cover where Marnus Labuschagne pulled off a terrific diving catch. South Africa, who won seven-straight Tests to qualify for the final, are attempting to break a title drought in ICC tournaments dating back to 1998. This AAP article was made possible by support from Amazon Prime Video, which is broadcasting the World Test Championship final.


The Advertiser
2 hours ago
- The Advertiser
He stripped star of captaincy, days later coach is gone
Poland manager Michal Probierz has resigned four days after striker Robert Lewandowski announced he would no longer play for his country under him. Probierz, 52, who was under contract until 2026 after replacing Fernando Santos in the role in September 2023, relieved Lewandowski of the team captaincy earlier this week, replacing him with Inter Milan midfielder Piotr Zielinski. Barcelona forward Lewandowski responded by saying Probierz had lost his trust and that he would quit international football "for as long as he (Probierz) remains in charge". Probierz said in a statement: "I came to the conclusion that in the current situation, the best decision for the good of the national team will be my resignation from the position of the head coach. "Performing this function was the fulfilment of my professional dreams and the greatest honour in my life. "Of course, I would like to thank all the players with whom I had the pleasure to meet on this road. I will keep my fingers crossed for all of you, because the national team is our common national good." The Polish Football Association added: "We would like to thank Michal Probierz for his cooperation and commitment in leading the national team, wishing him success in his further professional career." Poland, who lost 2-1 in Finland in a World Cup qualifier on Tuesday, finished bottom of their group at Euro 2024 under Probierz, who won nine and lost seven of his 21 matches in charge. Poland manager Michal Probierz has resigned four days after striker Robert Lewandowski announced he would no longer play for his country under him. Probierz, 52, who was under contract until 2026 after replacing Fernando Santos in the role in September 2023, relieved Lewandowski of the team captaincy earlier this week, replacing him with Inter Milan midfielder Piotr Zielinski. Barcelona forward Lewandowski responded by saying Probierz had lost his trust and that he would quit international football "for as long as he (Probierz) remains in charge". Probierz said in a statement: "I came to the conclusion that in the current situation, the best decision for the good of the national team will be my resignation from the position of the head coach. "Performing this function was the fulfilment of my professional dreams and the greatest honour in my life. "Of course, I would like to thank all the players with whom I had the pleasure to meet on this road. I will keep my fingers crossed for all of you, because the national team is our common national good." The Polish Football Association added: "We would like to thank Michal Probierz for his cooperation and commitment in leading the national team, wishing him success in his further professional career." Poland, who lost 2-1 in Finland in a World Cup qualifier on Tuesday, finished bottom of their group at Euro 2024 under Probierz, who won nine and lost seven of his 21 matches in charge. Poland manager Michal Probierz has resigned four days after striker Robert Lewandowski announced he would no longer play for his country under him. Probierz, 52, who was under contract until 2026 after replacing Fernando Santos in the role in September 2023, relieved Lewandowski of the team captaincy earlier this week, replacing him with Inter Milan midfielder Piotr Zielinski. Barcelona forward Lewandowski responded by saying Probierz had lost his trust and that he would quit international football "for as long as he (Probierz) remains in charge". Probierz said in a statement: "I came to the conclusion that in the current situation, the best decision for the good of the national team will be my resignation from the position of the head coach. "Performing this function was the fulfilment of my professional dreams and the greatest honour in my life. "Of course, I would like to thank all the players with whom I had the pleasure to meet on this road. I will keep my fingers crossed for all of you, because the national team is our common national good." The Polish Football Association added: "We would like to thank Michal Probierz for his cooperation and commitment in leading the national team, wishing him success in his further professional career." Poland, who lost 2-1 in Finland in a World Cup qualifier on Tuesday, finished bottom of their group at Euro 2024 under Probierz, who won nine and lost seven of his 21 matches in charge.