Latest news with #Wallaroos
BBC News
a day ago
- General
- BBC News
Tuipulotu returns in extended Wales training squad
Prop Sisilia Tuipulotu has been named in an extended Wales training squad after missing the Women's Six Nations due to a hamstring injury that required 21-year-old Gloucester-Hartpury tight-head is part of a 45-strong group named by Wales head coach Sean Lynn for this summer's tour to Australia and the 2025 Rugby World Cup in face the Wallaroos in a two Test series, beginning on 26 July in Brisbane before the second international on 1 August in squad will be trimmed to 30 players before Wales leave for Australia, with a final World Cup squad named after the bulk of the training squad includes all of the Welsh Rugby Union (WRU) contracted players, with Ffion Lewis, Carys Williams-Morris, Meg Webb, and Niamh Terry not selected as their contracts have faces include flanker Lucy Isaac, props Katherine Baverstock and Stella Orrin, lock Tilly Vucaj, centres Savannah Picton-Powell and Isla McMullen, scrum-half Seren Lockwood, and back rows Chiara Pearce and Jorja Aiona. Lynn said: "Our 2025 World Cup preparation starts here, and we are excited to get back together and working hard to lay some real foundations ahead of the biggest World Cup in the history of Women's rugby."We have named some young, exciting, uncapped players who have impressed at Wales Under-20s, Wales U18s and in the Celtic Challenge, and they are part of the future Wales family and have an opportunity to learn what is required at the highest level."All of them are very much in the mix for selection for the exciting challenge of a tour to Australia and ultimately the World Cup squad in England. They are here on merit and have an opportunity to prove they have what it takes for the national side."Wales became the first women's team to lose all five matches in a Six Nations tournament, finishing bottom of the pile for the second successive season."The players, coaches and staff have all had time to reflect and review what was a disappointing Six Nations campaign and we have to use that disappointment as the fuel to learn and improve for the challenges ahead of us," Lynn added."We all know we have a point to prove and that we have to put the work in on and off the field to get better as a squad."This summer training camp will be tough and demanding and we make no excuses for that."The players will be worked hard to prepare them for the honour of representing the nation and they know what is at stake." Wales squad Forwards: Abbey Constable, Abbie Fleming, Alaw Pyrs, Alex Callender, Bethan Lewis, Bryonie King, Chiara Pearce, Carys Phillips, Donna Rose, Georgia Evans, Gwen Crabb, Gwenllian Pyrs, Gwennan Hopkins, Jenni Scoble, Jorja Aiono, Katherine Baverstock, Kate Williams, Kelsey Jones, Lucy Isaac, Maisie Davies, Molly Reardon, Natalia John, Rosie Carr, Sisilia Tuipulotu, Stella Orrin, Tilly Carys Cox, Catherine Richards, Courtney Keight, Hannah Bluck, Hannah Jones, Isla McMullen, Jasmine Joyce, Jenny Hesketh, Kayleigh Powell, Keira Bevan, Kerin Lake, Lisa Neumann, Lleucu George, Meg Davies, Nel Metcalfe, Robyn Wilkins, Savannah Picton-Powell, Seren Lockwood, Sian Jones.
Yahoo
25-05-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Australia coach Yapp to leave after World Cup
Jo Yapp will leave her role as Australia head coach after the Women's World Cup in in September. The 45-year-old former England captain, who was appointed in December 2023, led Australia to their first trophy when they won the WXV2 title in October to secure a World Cup spot. "This was a difficult decision as I thoroughly enjoy coaching the Wallaroos, but my family always come first when considering future plans and we have decided to return to the UK once my contract expires," Yapp said. "I am proud of the progression the Wallaroos program has had over the past 18 months." Australia have won five of their past seven games, including four in a row for the first time, but lost 45-7 to Canada on Friday. The World Cup in England runs from 22 August to 27 September. "There is still a lot of rugby ahead and the key reason for announcing this now is to avoid any distractions before the critical preparation period for the World Cup begins," Yapp said. The former scrum-half won 70 caps for England and played at three World Cups.
BBC News
25-05-2025
- Sport
- BBC News
Australia coach Yapp to leave after World Cup
Jo Yapp will leave her role as Australia head coach after the Women's World Cup in in 45-year-old former England captain, who was appointed in December 2023, led Australia to their first trophy when they won the WXV2 title in October to secure a World Cup spot."This was a difficult decision as I thoroughly enjoy coaching the Wallaroos, but my family always come first when considering future plans and we have decided to return to the UK once my contract expires," Yapp said."I am proud of the progression the Wallaroos program has had over the past 18 months." Australia have won five of their past seven games, including four in a row for the first time, but lost 45-7 to Canada on World Cup in England runs from 22 August to 27 September."There is still a lot of rugby ahead and the key reason for announcing this now is to avoid any distractions before the critical preparation period for the World Cup begins," Yapp former scrum-half won 70 caps for England and played at three World Cups.
Otago Daily Times
23-05-2025
- Sport
- Otago Daily Times
Tukuafu eager for Black Ferns to take another step forward
Black Ferns co-captain Kennedy Tukuafu is pleased with how far her side has come so far. But they are always demanding more of each other and nailing those finishing touches against a physical United States of America side this afternoon is at the top of the list. Reflecting on their games against the Wallaroos and Canada already in the Pacific Four series, Tukuafu felt the Black Ferns had made great strides to grow certain areas of their game. "But it doesn't help when we don't really nail the one percenters," Tukuafu told the Otago Daily Times. "That's going to be our goal this weekend. Getting out on the field and really nailing those one percenters — catch, pass, ruck security. "Really happy with how far we've come and again, just making sure we capitalise on those moments and when we create space on the edges getting the ball there and finishing well." Tukuafu, who will come off the bench for her 30th test, said the Black Ferns reviewed the United States — who are winless despite putting up some big fights — and knew the key areas to tackle. "We've just said that we need to make sure we bring the physicality, line speed to try and pressure the skill set, all that basic stuff. "But they're very... unpredictable, so just making sure that we're communicating, and making our tackles, so that it's a good flowy game for us." Preparation throughout the week had been good and Tukuafu said the Black Ferns sevens players had integrated well among the squad. Stacey Waaka and Theresa Setefano, who played at the Rugby World Cup in 2021, start as the midfield combination, Jorja Miller gets her first shot at openside and Risaleaana Pouri-Lane debuts at halfback. Chiefs Manawa front rowers Veisinia Mahutariki-Fakalelu and Vici-Rose Green are also in line for their first tests. Waaka will have a big task in her opposite in Ilona Maher — the most followed rugby player online in the world — who has also switched to union for the United States. But there is another Black Fern who has caught Tukuafu's eye in young fullback Braxton Sorensen-McGee, who gets her third straight start. "She's 18 years old and she's been able to come out and, you know, front up at a test match level," Tukuafu said. "Test matches, no matter who you're playing, is really hard. They're the best players of their country and she comes out with such confidence. "I've been really proud of her," she said. The Pacific Four series has more importance than most years in 2025 in building towards the Rugby World Cup later this year. Tukuafu said the series was "hugely important" in their bid to defend their world champion status. "We've only got four tests until the World Cup. "We just have to make sure we take the learnings from each game as they come and continue to be ready. "Whether that's the 32 in the squad now, or the women at home that are doing their work. "We've got to be prepared for anything. "These games have been great and good steppingstones to a huge World Cup in England." Pacific Four Series North Harbour, 3.35pm Black Ferns: Braxton Sorensen-McGee, Portia Woodman-Wickliffe, Stacey Waaka, Theresa Setefano, Katelynn Vahaakolo, Ruahei Demant, Risaleaana Pouri-Lane, Kaipo Olsen-Baker, Jorja Miller, Liana Mikaele-Tu'u, Maia Roos, Alana Bremner, Veisinia Mahutariki-Fakalelu, Georgia Ponsonby, Kate Henwood. Reserves: Vici-Rose Green, Awhina Tangen-Wainohu, Tanya Kalounivale, Chelsea Bremner, Kennedy Tukuafu, Maia Joseph, Hannah King, Sylvia Brunt. United States: Bulou Mataitoga, Emily Henrich, Ilona Maher, McKenzie Hawkins, Cheta Emba, Sariah Ibarra, Olivia Ortiz, Rachel Johnson, Kate Zackary, Freda Tafuna, Erica Jarrell, Hallie Taufoou, Keia Mae Sagapolu, Paige Stathopoulos, Hope Rogers. Reserves: Kathryn Treder, Alivia Leatherman, Charli Jacoby, Rachel Ehrecke, Tahlia Brody, Cass Bargell, Nicole Heavirland, Tess Feury.
ABC News
23-05-2025
- Sport
- ABC News
Canada bully Wallaroos in World Cup reality check
The Canadian juggernaut have offered the new-look Wallaroos a harsh pre-World Cup reminder of their standing with a 45-7 Test win in Brisbane. World number two Canada dominated every aspect of Friday afternoon's clash, only the second time Australia's women have graced Suncorp Stadium. Down 21-0 after 20 minutes, the hosts were lucky not to concede more than one extra try before the break, although there was a response to begin the second stanza. A strong tackle-busting effort from winger Desiree Miller to score was brief respite though in a dominant Canadian performance. Australia, ranked sixth in the world, beat world number eight USA last weekend after a comprehensive loss to number three New Zealand to begin the Pacific Four Series. Canada drew with New Zealand last week and will enter August's World Cup in England, where the hosts top the rankings, confident of bringing the trophy back with them. In seven World Cups, Australia have a sole third-placed finish and otherwise finished no higher than fifth. "Would have loved the win last weekend but had to move on quickly," Canadian captain Alex Tessier said. "Very proud; a decent win and put a lot of points on the board. "The Pac Four plays a huge role (for the World Cup) … which is coming up quite quickly." The visitor's forward pack was rampaging in the first half, Australia unable to plug the gaps in defence and hesitant with ball in hand while their line-out struggled to function. Sevens convert Charlotte Caslick had her moments in her first Test at inside centre, making a strong covering tackle to save a try and darting through the line whenever the opportunity presented. The Wallaroos' replacement forwards also made an impact, reserve hooker Adiana Talakai unlucky to have a try disallowed after her injection after half-time. Australia captain and back-rower Siokapesi Palu was another bright spot for the side but admitted her team had work to do with three Tests left before their World Cup opener. "Canada were really physical, and set piece again was challenging," she said. "We know they're a quality side and we really need to step up moving forward." AAP
