Welcome to the Back Row Seats
- Sophie Norris
- 1 hour ago
- 4 min read
The Back Row Seats is TFAP's new weekly women's Rugby World Cup Podcast, running for the entire 2025 WRWC. The first episode is live, listen now on apple or spotify.
The Women's Rugby World Cup
In just three days, the 2025 Women’s Rugby World Cup (WRWC) will kick off in England.
This year’s tournament will be the 10th edition of the Women's RWC, and it has already sold more tickets than any other edition of the tournament.
For the first time since 2002, 16 teams will compete at the WRWC.
They are:
England, New Zealand, Canada, France, Ireland, Italy, Scotland, Wales, Australia, USA, South Africa, Japan, Samoa, Fiji, Spain and debutants Brazil.
Take your back-row seats
For those who are in England for the World Cup, we are extremely jealous of the front-row seats you’ll have to witness seven weeks of incredible women’s rugby history.
For those, like me, who aren’t?
Well you're in luck because we have the next best thing - Back Row seats to all the World Cup action.
Two Wallaroos legends will review and preview all the World Cup action and give us exclusive access to Wallaroos players in England in a weekly podcast dropping every Wednesday morning at 6AM AEST. Listen now: http://tr.ee/WNdF-9wGiM
Meet your hosts: Emily 'Horse' Robinson & Arabella McKenzie
Emily (AKA Horse) debuted for the NSW Waratahs in 2018. She’s a 6x Super W Champion and the most capped women’s player in Waratahs history with 40 caps and counting. She debuted for the Wallaroos in 2016 and played at both the 2017 and 2022 Women’s Rugby World Cups.
Bella (AKA Lenny) debuted for the Waratahs in 2019 and is a 5x Super W Champion. She made her Wallaroos debut in 2019 and played at the 2022 Women’s World Cup in New Zealand. Bella also has international rugby experience, having played for Matatu in New Zealand’s Super Rugby Aupiki and for the Harlequins in England’s Premiership Women’s Rugby.
Horse & Bella's Wallaroos to Watch
Maya Stewart
Position: Wing
Wallaroos Caps: 25
Junior Club: Nelson Bay Gropers
World Cups: Played at the 2022 World Cup in New Zealand
Fun Fact: Maya is one try away from becoming the Wallaroos' highest points scorer in history
Caitlyn Halse
Position: Fullback
Wallaroos Caps: 11
Junior Club: Camden Rams
World Cups: Will make World Cup debut at 2025 WRWC
Fun Fact: Caitlyn was the youngest-ever Waratahs debutant and is set to become the youngest-ever Australian to feature at a World Cup.
Samantha Wood
Position: Scrum-half
Wallaroos Caps: 7
Junior Club: Kalamunda Rugby
World Cups: Will make World Cup debut at 2025 WRWC
Fun Fact: Sam won the Western Force's Rebecca Clough medal, Members’ MVP and Force Woman awards in the 2024 season.
![Wallaroos Coach Jo Yapp with Wallaroos World Cup Squad members. [Photo by Darrian Traynor + Getty Images]](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/02d1de_c4df7a7f3e2e44548ce0612ecff2c59b~mv2.jpg/v1/fill/w_980,h_653,al_c,q_85,usm_0.66_1.00_0.01,enc_avif,quality_auto/02d1de_c4df7a7f3e2e44548ce0612ecff2c59b~mv2.jpg)
Inside Wallaroos Camp: Meet Lori Cramer
Position: Fullback
Wallaroos Caps: 30
Junior Club: University of Queensland
World Cups: Played at the 2022 World Cup in New Zealand.
Super W Club: Queensland Reds
How does Lori think the Wallaroos can beat Samoa in Game One?
“We have to come out fast. In the first half … we need to put them to bed.
They really challenged us around the breakdown last time we played them, so we need to keep position and play more of a territory game."
Lori’s one to watch: Tabua Tuinakauvadra [No.8]
"She’s such a gentle giant, she’s starting to get herself in those places and be more aggressive with her carries. I’m keen to see Boo sink her teeth more in the international stage”
What’s one thing Lori can’t travel without?
“Obviously I don’t leave home without my Meryl Streep shirt because she’s the GOAT.”
But … I always go on tour with my Fish Flops. They’re actually really comfy, and no one steals them because people think they’re hideous.”
Listen to the Back Row Seats, out now: http://tr.ee/WNdF-9wGiM
Game One: Wallaroos vs Samoa
WHEN: Saturday 23rd August, 2025
WHERE: Salford Community Stadium, Manchester
TIME: 9:00 PM AEST
HOW TO WATCH: Live & Free - Nine Now
WALLAROOS:
Ranked 6th
Last played at the 2014 World Cup
SAMOA:
Ranked 15th
Last Played at the 2022 World Cup
Horse & Bella's Prediction: The match will be won towards the end of the first half and by the team that starts the fastest.
Written by Sophie Norris
Sophie is the Content Producer here at the Female Athlete Project.
The [female] athlete project is Australia's fastest growing women's sports platform, spotlighting the stories and achievements of women in sport. Listen to the weekly podcast the wrap on apple or spotify, or sign up to our weekly newsletter here.
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