Charlotte Caslick will not feature again for the Australian rugby sevens team this year, instead committing fully to the 15-a-side game ahead of this year’s World Cup.
Caslick is set to make her Super Rugby Women’s debut for the Queensland Reds after being named on the bench to face the NSW Waratahs at Ballymore in Brisbane on Sunday.
She had always intended to feature for the Reds this season but has decided to withdraw from the remaining legs of the World Rugby Sevens Series.
Caslick’s stint in the Super Rugby Women’s competition will be crucial to her chances of earning selection for the Wallaroos ahead of the World Cup to be held in England in August and September.
“It’ll keep me fresh and inspired and motivated to improve myself as a player and person,” Caslick said about her switch from sevens.
“The World Cup in England, it’s an exciting opportunity to be a part of and would be special in my career to achieve, and then there’s the 2029 World Cup.
“If we can set this pathway, get girls playing both sevens and 15s, it puts the Australian side in a good place.
“We saw what the Matildas did in their World Cup in Australia … we can grow the sport and get fans on board.”
Caslick won Olympic gold with the Australian sevens team at the 2016 Rio Games.
The 29-year-old has been part of the national squad since 2013, claiming multiple world series titles.
She is also a two-time world sevens player of the year and had a stint with the Sydney Roosters during the 2020 NRLW season.
“Charlotte is a world-class athlete,” Reds coach Andrew Fraser said.
“When you add the speed with which she plays and the intellect she has gathered over more than a decade, it’s really exciting.
“She is eager to make an impression.”
Caslick’s fellow Paris Olympians Kahli Henwood (wing), Teagan Levi (centre) and current Australian sevens captain Bella Nasser (bench) will also feature for the Reds, while Maddison Levi remains out with a finger injury.
The Reds beat Fijian Drua 22-19 in Lautoka last Saturday.
The Waratahs opened their season with a 26-21 victory over the Western Force in Sydney.
AAP/ABC
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