Ahead of the commencement of 2025 Pacific Four Series, Wallaroos coach Jo Yapp has provided confirmation as to the future of several Sevens stars who showed interest in the Rugby World Cup squad.
The Wallaroos are currently in camp in Newcastle, announcing their team that will take on the Black Ferns in their Pacific Four Series opener at McDonald Jones Stadium yesterday.
Watch every match of the 2025 Pacific Four Series live and on-demand, exclusively on Stan Sport.
The side is set to feature two Sevens stars, with Tia Hinds and Charlotte Caslick making their first start in the run on side following successful debuts off the bench in Fiji.
Bienne Terita also impressed in the opening fixture, starting at outside centre and picking up two tries on debut before an unfortunate a hamstring injury - which will see her miss out on the remainder of the Pacific Four Series but is still a chance to return for the Wallaroos' July fixtures against New Zealand and Wales.
Originally, nine Sevens stars were included in the squads for the Reds, Waratahs and Brumbies in the 2025 Super Rugby Women's season - with the remaining six in Sariah Paki, Kahli Henwood, Isabella Nasser, Demi Hayes, and Tegan and Maddison Levi subsequently released and gradually returning to the Sevens circuit across the Hong Kong, Singapore and Los Angeles events.
Hayes was also ruled out of the Los Angeles event due to injury.
Plans are currently underway for both the Women's Sevens and XV's program to work closer together in the coming years.
Despite these promising signs of a synergised women's pathway in Aussie rugby, for the immediate future, Yapp has confirmed the XVs squad - with it's current Sevens stars - will remain unchanged for at least the duration of the Pacific Four Series.
"No, not at this point," Yapp told Rugby.com.au when asked of the other Sevens' stars availability on Thursday.
"The other players that had initially made themselves available for XVs that went to LA have returned, and now made themselves unavailable for the XVs.
"They're taking that time.
"It's obviously been a long season for them. They want to prioritise their rest and recovery, which we absolutely respect. They won't be available moving forward."
The Wallaroos are coming into the clash on a four match winning streak, however they will likely start as outside favourites, with the current world champions holding an imposing 0-27 record over their Trans-Tasman rivals.
It will be a huge dive into the deep end for the likes of Hinds, however Yapp believes the enthusiasm shown by the current Sevens stars in the squad has rubbed off on the wider team - and will help contribute to better, more competitive results.
"It's great to have Charlotte in there, and Tia in there. They've done so well," Yapp admitted candidly.
"These are players that, although they don't have loads of XVs experience, they've got a lot of rugby experience on big stages. To have them in our side is great.
"We were really upset for Bibi (Bienne) with the injury, because she was really embracing the XVs, but it's looking really positive for her to make a return.
"But, [we're] really impressed with how both Charlotte and Tia have taken this opportunity and how hard they're working for the squad. Doing all their due diligence and their homework, and the way they've mixed in, it has been really impressive."
