Bull Sharks Melanie Wilks and Eva Karpani have been selected for the 2023 Wallaroo Test Squad which departs for New Zealand next week.
While Karpani made her Wallaroo debut in 2019, a start in next week’s Test would be the first on-field showing for Wilks.
Wilks began her rugby journey at Bond in 2018.
She was scouted during a fitness session at her former touch rugby club, catching the eye of Luca Liussi from Bond Rugby.
From then on, Wilks has been an integral part of the Bull Sharks' composition.
However, Melanie's path to the top hasn’t been without its challenges.
Injuries plagued her this year, forcing her to miss both the Super W and Premier Rugby seasons.
“I did my ankle back in February and then just when I was coming out of that injury I did my quad,” Wilks said.
“I’m really only just getting back to 100 percent now, so it’s been a tough year having to sit out so much.”
Despite being sidelined for the majority of this year, Wilks managed to make a triumphant return just in time to for the selection camp that secured her spot in the Wallaroo Squad.
“Selection for the squad was based on a camp that we had two weeks ago,” she said.
“Although I still wasn’t training at 100 percent, I’m super happy to have made the squad again.”
This marks the second year that Wilks has made the Wallaroo squad, however this year she hopes to follow in the footsteps of teammate Eva Karpani and make her on-field debut.
“I’ve known Eva pretty much all of my rugby life,” Wilks said.
“We play Super W against each other and now we’re clubmates too so it’s great to have her beside me on the squad.”
Next Wednesday the Wallaroos will fly to New Zealand for a Test match in the lead-up to the World Rugby WXV competition.
The WXV will take place across multiple New Zealand venues.