Panuara's Grace Hamilton and 15 of her Buildcorp Super W-winning NSW Waratahs teammates headline the Wallaroos' extended squad, which Australian coach Dwayne Nestor named on Thursday morning as the first step towards the 2021 World Cup.
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With the announcement he it clear that tournament is as much a focus as the immediate future, with a number of injured stars and a handful of relatively unknown players being included in the 47-strong group.
While Hamilton is neither and is actually expected to be among the leadership candidates considering her history and recent form in the Waratahs' win, Brumbies No.8 Tayla Stanford is one who's not available right now but will almost certainly figure in the World Cup discussion.
West Australian rookie Courtney Hodder, centre Sarah Riordan and Nareta Masters are all working their way back from injury too, but have been included in the wider squad.
Emily Chancellor, Evelyn Horomia, Fi Jones, Asoiva Karpani, Sera Naiqama, Emily Robinson, Ana-Lise Sio, Katrina Barker, Illiseva Batibasaga, Atasi Lafai, Chloe Leaupepe, Crystal Maguire, Mahalia Murphy, Shanice Parker and Maya Stewart are Hamilton's Waratahs teammates also named.
The Wallaroos will play four Tests this year, two each against Japan and New Zealand, before next year's brand new Four Nations tournament. With that expanded schedule the need for a more professional environment is on show.
While the timeline for the women's game being completely professionalised remains unknown, Nestor said the 47-strong squad increases the chance for exposure.
"It's a big squad and that provide opportunities for a few girls who in normal circumstances might not have a chance to be exposed to that kind of environment," he said.
"Waratahs winger Maya Stewart is one girl who is pretty raw and fresh to it all saw enough to say let's put her in that environment and give her a chance to learn a lot more and develop"
Stewart is one of 15 uncapped players in the squad, and even though the Wallaroos' pack has been their real strength in recent years Nestor said she and the rest of the exciting, up-and-coming outside talent is a big boost.
"Having been a back myself and knowing what it's like playing in a team with a potent backline," he said.
"I'm really excited for '21 if we have some of those young girls, that back line could be quite potent. That creates exciting rugby.
"We showed in 2017 that our forward pack if it gets the set piece right its ability in general play creates a lot of opportunities - players like Grace Hamilton, people like that being able to carry the ball and get good go forward light up the back line."
The squad trains in state-based groups for a few months before coming together in Newcastle before the first Test against Japan on July 6.
- WALLAROOS: Forwards: Millie Boyle, Emily Chancellor, Bec Clough, Toa Filimoehala, Grace Hamilton, , Alisha Hewett, Evelyn Horomia, Fi Jones, Asoiva Karpani, Michaela Leonard, Kiri Lingman, Shannon Mato, Michelle Milward, Averyl Mitchell, Sera Naiqama, Georgia O'Neill, Liz Patu, Emily Robinson, Christina Sekona, Ana-Lise Sio, Tayla Stanford, Violeta Tupuola, Darryl Wickliffe; Backs: Katrina Barker, Iliseva Batibasaga, Mhicca Carter, Georgia Cormick, Lori Cramer, Alana Elisaia, Courtney Hodder, Zakiya Kereopa, Atasi Lafai, Chloe Leaupepe, Alysia Lefau-Fakaosilea, Crystal Maguire, Nareta Marsters, Cobie-Jane Morgan, Mahalia Murphy, Asako Ono, Shanice Parker, Trilleen Pomare, Sarah Riordan, Maya Stewart, Samantha Treherne, Samantha Wood
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