Sevens stars make World Cup switch

Australia's Sevens co-captains Sharni Williams and Shannon Parry will make their returns to XVs rugby next month ahead of the Women's Rugby World Cup later this summer.

Published by Alison Donnelly, May 19th, 2017

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Sevens stars make World Cup switch

The pair will also be bidding make an appearance in the upcoming test series against Canada, England and New Zealand.

Their switch comes as numerous other crossover players make the move ahead of the World Cup. The Black Ferns squad for the June series includes stars such as Sarah Goss, Portia Woodman and Kelly Brazier while a raft of England's best sevens players are also back in the XV fold.

The  Australian pair will be joined by 10 debutants in the New Zealand series, with seven of last year's debutants returning to the lineup for the tournament.

Parry said the squad signalled some generational change.

"We've got a great squad here, we've got some of our next generation coming through, but we've got seven girls returning from last year's tour to New Zealand," she said.

"We've got some older girls, some more experienced girls there, so there's a good mix of youth and that generational change with the experienced heads as well."

Coach Paul Verrell said this squad had been in the making since that challenging trans-Tasman trip in 2016.

“We have been monitoring players in training and in matches since we returned from New Zealand last year, and the players named in this squad is a testament to their hard work and performances over the last twelve months," he said.

“It has been very encouraging to see the next generation coming through. They have really lifted their work rate both on and off the field, which has led to their selection in this squad.

"Combined with the experience of Shannon Parry, Sharni Williams, Ash Hewson, Cheyenne Campbell and Rebecca Clough, we feel we have a very strong squad for this tour.

“We’ll continue the hard work for our three tough Test matches this June, as we continue to build depth for our Women’s Rugby World Cup campaign.”

Australia's Upcoming Fixtures:

Friday 9 June - Australia v England, Porirua Park, Wellington

Tuesday 13 June – Australia v New Zealand, Rugby Park, Christchurch

Saturday 17 June - Australia v Canada, Smallbone Park, Rotorua

Squad:

Cheyenne Campbell, Queensland, hooker, 9 TestsLiz Patu, Queensland, hooker/prop, 9 TestsVioleta Tupuola*, ACT, propEvelyn Horomia*, Sydney, propCaroline Fairs (nee Vakalahi), ADF, prop, 8 TestsHilisha Samoa*, Queensland, propHana Ngaha, Queensland, prop, 2 TestsRebecca Clough, Western Australia, lock, 11 TestsAlisha Hewett, ADF, lock, 9 TestsMillie Boyle*, ACT, lockAlexandra Sulusi, Sydney, lock, 2 TestsShannon Parry, Australia Sevens, backrow, 10 TestsChloe Butler, South Australia Barbarians, backrow, 6 TestsGrace Hamilton, Sydney, backrow, 2 TestsVesinia Schaaf -Taufa, Western Australia, backrow, 2 TestsVictoria Latu*, Sydney, backrowNatasha Haines, Western Australia, backrow/centre, 7 TestsCobie-Jane Morgan, Sydney, scrumhalf, 13 TestsKatrina Barker, NSW Country, scrumhalf, 2 TestsSamantha Treherne*, Queensland, five-eighth/fullbackFenella Hake*, Queensland, five-eighth/scrumhalfSarah Riordan, ADF, five-eighth/centre, 2 TestsSharni Williams, Australian Sevens, centre, 13 TestsKayla Sauvao*, Sydney, centre/wingNareta Marsters, Queensland, centre/wing, 2 TestsHuia Swanell*, Western Australia, centre/wingAshleigh Timoko*, Western Australia, centre/wingAshleigh Hewson, Sydney, fullback, 12 Tests*uncapped

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