She's led the NSW Waratahs to back-to-back Super W titles and has consistently been among the Wallaroos' best in recent years and now Panuara's Grace Hamilton has officially risen to absolute top, having been named to captain her country.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
Hamilton was officially unveiled as the Australian side's new, and deserving, skipper following Friday morning's squad announcement, and will make her captaincy debut in the first of July's two Tests against Japan.
The 11-test back-rower made her debut in 2016 against New Zealand, and will head into her first camp as skipper alongside 11 uncapped players in Dwayne Nestor's squad.
The Wallaroos' coach heaped praise on his new captain too, saying she "embodies what we want this team to be about".
"Grace is going to make a fantastic captain in 2019, she's passionate about this team, passionate about rugby, has a strong drive to win and to set high standards," Wallaroos coach Dwayne Nestor said.
"Humble and hardworking, she embodies what we want this to team to be about and I know she will be supported by a strong leadership team.
"The hard work is only just beginning, as we have a massive opportunity this year with the Tests scheduled and I know the squad is looking forward to getting into camp in Newcastle."
Nestor's squad, trimmed to 29 with just 22 days remaining before the first Test, is dominated by Super W-winning Waratahs.
Hamilton is joined by fellow Super W champions Emily Chancellor, Evelyn Horomia, Eva Karpani, Sera Naiqama, Emily Robinson, Chloe Leaupepe, Arabella McKenzie and Mahalia Murphy
Australia will face off against Japan on Saturday, July 13 in Newcastle and Friday, July 19 at North Sydney Oval, before facing the Black Ferns in Perth and Auckland in August.
- WALLAROOS: Grace Hamilton (c), Millie Boyle, Mhicca Carter, Emily Chancellor, Rebecca Clough, Georgia Cormick, Alisha Hewitt, Ariana Hira-Herangi, Evelyn Horomia, Eva Karpani, Chloe Leupepe, Alysia Lefau-Fakaosilea, Michaela Leonard, Kiri Lingman, Ashley Marsters, Shannon Mato, Arabella McKenzie, Averyl Mitchell, Cobie-Jane Morgan, Mahalia Murphy, Sera Naiqama, Asako Ono, Liz Patu, Trilleen Pomare, Sarah Riordan, Emily Robinson, Christina Sekona, Samathan Treherne
WANT MORE ORANGE AND REGIONAL SPORT?
- Receive our free newsletters delivered to your inbox, as well as breaking news alerts. Sign up below ...
Matt Findlay
Formerly a sports specialist, I'm based at Orange and shift between wide-spread range of subjects here and, often, across the entire Central West region of NSW as well. I have almost a decade of experience in the media and marketing industries both here in Australia and internationally, along with journalism I have experience in content strategy, brand development, and digital and social media. Along the way, I've been fortunate to win a handful of media awards and be nominated for several others too.
Formerly a sports specialist, I'm based at Orange and shift between wide-spread range of subjects here and, often, across the entire Central West region of NSW as well. I have almost a decade of experience in the media and marketing industries both here in Australia and internationally, along with journalism I have experience in content strategy, brand development, and digital and social media. Along the way, I've been fortunate to win a handful of media awards and be nominated for several others too.
