The Australian Women's Rugby team, the Wallaroos, has begun final preparations for the two-Test series against World Champions New Zealand starting next week.
A squad of 22 players has assembled at the Sydney Academy of Sport in Narrabeen for a three-day camp before departing for New Zealand on Friday.
Coach Steve Hamson has retained seventeen players from last year's squad and has promoted ACT's Megan Valler, NSW's Tui Ormsby and Kylie Pennell, Queensland's Cassandra Nunn and Victoria's Tegan French.
NSW veteran scrumhalf Cheryl Soon has been named captain of the touring party.
The Wallaroos' last hit-out was at the iRB Women's Rugby World Cup in Canada in 2006, where they finished in seventh place.
The New Zealand tour will begin with a warm-up match against the Central Regions Development team in Palmerston North on Saturday before Test matches in Wanganui and Wellington.
Wallaroos Tour of New Zealand
Saturday 13 October Australia v Central Regions Development Team, Massey University, Palmerston North (2.30pm kick-off)
Tuesday 16 October Australia v New Zealand, Cooks Gardens, Wanganui (5.30pm kick-off)
Saturday 20 October Australia v New Zealand, Porirua Park or Westpac Stadium, Wellington TBC (2.30pm kick-off)
(All times are local New Zealand times. NB: Australian EST is New Zealand time - 3 hours)
Wallaroos squad:
Iliseva Batibasaga*
QLD
Brothers (Albion)
Halfback
23-Mar-85
Tasileta Bethell*
QLD
Wests
Backrow
3-Jul-83
Vanessa Bradley*
QLD
West Brisbane
Prop
18-Oct-76
Tricia Brown*
QLD
University of QLD
Centre/Wing
14-Mar-79
Lisa Fiaola*
NSW
Warringah
Centre
25-Nov-70
Tegan French
VIC
Northern
Fullback
21-May-83
Alicia Frost*
NSW
Merewether Carlton
Lock
20-Sep-80
Alexandra Hargreaves*
NSW
Sydney University
Second row
13-Nov-80
Tobie McGann*
NSW
Newcastle University
Fullback
4-Aug-82
Lindsay Morgan*
ACT
Royals
Prop
18-Oct-79
Louise Morrison*
NSW
Wanderers
Hooker
26-Jun-80
Cassandra Nunn
QLD
CH Titans Emerald
Wing
25-Feb-78
Tui Ormsby
NSW
Warringah
Flyhalf/centre
20-Jan-78
Kylie Pennell
NSW
Dubbo Rhinos
Prop
24-Jul-78
Silei Poluleuligaga*
VIC
Northern RUFC
Hooker
8-Mar-81
Chris Ross*
NSW
Warringah
Lock
10-Feb-79
Se'ei Sa'u*
QLD
West
Flanker
3-Nov-74
Cheryl Soon*
NSW
Warringah
Scrumhalf
23-Sep-75
Alana Thomas*
NSW
Orange Emus
Flyhalf
18-Mar-82
Rebecca Trethowan*
NSW
Newcastle University
Backrow
8-Feb-85
Megan Valler
ACT
Royals
Centre/Wing
19-Feb-81
Kim Wilson*
ACT
Tuggeranong Vikings
Backrow
27-Sep-83
* Played in 2006 iRB Women's Rugby World Cup in Canada
Coaching and Management
Head coach - Steve Hamson
Assistant coach - John Manenti
Team Manager - Mark Rowe
Skills Coach & Analyst - Shirley Russell
Team doctor - Dr Maja Markovic
Physiotherapist - Simonne Spooner
Program Manager - Matt Grimison