Australia begin their Women’s Rugby World Cup campaign with a clash against Samoa on 23 August and high hopes of at least matching their best result at the tournament when it was last held in England. The Wallaroos finished third at the global showpiece 15 years ago, but if the current No 6-ranked side are to survive their pool – let alone snatch a breakthrough World Cup crown – they must first face down the game’s biggest star, the US’s Ilona Maher, as well as their host, England.
These are the five players who can help lift the Wallaroos to new heights and lay down a marker before Australia host the World Cup in 2029.
