- Charlotte Caslick admits she is jealous of the Matildas
- Australian rugby sevens star wants his team to be in the spotlight
- Caslick wonders if the Matildas will shine in Paris
Australian rugby sevens star Charlotte Caslick has sparked a sporting row after questioning why the Matildas receive so much fanfare given they have only won one major title while her team has consistently been among the best in the world.
In 2010, the Matildas lifted the Asian Cup in China after beating North Korea 5-4 in the final on penalties.
Only eight nations participated in the tournament.
They have since become a sporting giant and had the country in raptures after reaching the World Cup semi-finals on home soil last year.
Coach Tony Gustavsson’s team eventually finished fourth, unlike Caslick and the Australian Sevens girls, who won gold in Rio in 2016.
Caslick admitted he felt envious watching the Matildas’ rapid rise but boldly predicted they will not fare well in Paris.
“I don’t know if they (Matildas) will get out of the group stage,” she said. News Corporation.
‘We (Sevens Rugby) have been at the top of our game for years and years, always up there… with podium finishes in all our series. And we probably don’t get the recognition (we deserve).
Australian rugby sevens star Charlotte Caslick (pictured) has questioned why the Matildas receive so much fanfare given they have only won one major title.
The Matildas have become a sporting juggernaut and had the country in frenzy after reaching the World Cup semi-finals on home soil last year (pictured, youngster Mary Fowler)
Caslick was part of the Australian women’s rugby sevens team that won gold in Rio in 2016, and noted that the team is consistently among the best in the world.
“I think if we can perform at the Paris Olympics we can show Australia what a fantastic team they are. There are some superstars who deserve praise that others (Matildas) do not get.”
Caslick admires how the Matildas have made women’s sport increasingly marketable and loves the opportunities now enjoyed by emerging female athletes.
Australia will face South Africa in their opening women’s rugby sevens pool match on 29 July from 12am AEDT, before taking on Great Britain (3.30am, 29 July) and Ireland at 10.30pm AEDT on the same date.
Tim Walsh’s team is expected to be a gold medal contender along with New Zealand and England.
The Matildas face Germany on July 26 from 3am AEDT in Marseille, with other matches against Zambia (July 29, 3am) and the United States (August 1, 3am).
Steph Catley will captain the team in the absence of injured superstar striker Sam Kerr.