Teenage rugby gun Caitlyn Halse targeted by rugby league makes choice as Australian debut looms

She’s the precociously talented teen footballer wanted by both rugby and rugby league. But this schoolgirl has a special dream she has decided to run with.

Caitlyn Halse made her debut for the waratahs this year and is on course to become the youngest ever Wallaroo; at just 16.

She’s been described as the “Max Jorgensen’’ of women’s rugby - a talent so precocious she is already playing seasoned veterans in a major competition and is now heading for an Australian debut as a 16-year-old.

And just like Jorgensen - the Waratahs young gun who went from school rugby to Super Rugby and the Wallabies squad in less than a year - it appears rugby has won the battle for Caitlyn Halse’s heart.

The young Waratah fullback is on track to become the youngest Wallaroo if she debuts in the Test against Fiji on May 20.

At school south of Sydney when the squad became public this week, Halse said she got a congratulatory text message from a mate telling her the news was public after receiving a private phone call with the news last week.

“I was very surprised to be selected,’’ she said.

Caitlyn Halse in action against the Melbourne Rebels Women.

“This is just my first year in Super W. This time last year I was playing under 18s and club rugby.’’

It was a similar situation for Jorgensen who Halse met on a team bus trip to Narrabri to play matches earlier this year and where both players were required to sing a song on the bus ride as new members.

The schoolgirl star.

Max Jorgensen of the Waratahs.

Halse said she had recently been approached by rugby league clubs keen to sign her but her heart is with rugby.

“I had two clubs asking me to sign with them.’’ she said.

“But I just really love the game (rugby), I always have.

“I love the team environment of the Waratahs, they are like a second family, all my rugby teams are.

“In the fullback role I get a lot of freedom and being able to play in such a highly skilled competition (Super W) I have just got better.’’

Sticking put also gives Halse the chance to pursue another dream - playing at a Commonwealth Games and Olympics.

The wallaroos playing the Black Ferns last year.

“Rugby Sevens and the Olympics is something I am very interested in,’’ she said.

“I did trial for the youth Commonwealth Game team a few weeks ago. That would be amazing.’’

Halse will miss a week of school to attend Wallaroos camp but will studying while she is there.

“I love school. I want to be a physiotherapist or sport scientist,’’ she said.

“I think school helps keep my feet on the ground.’’

Alysia Lefau Fakaosilea is currently the youngest capped Wallaroo at 18 years, eight months and eight days.

WALLAROOS SQUAD FOR MAY CAMP

Adiana Talakai, 24, NSW Waratahs, 9 caps, Alana Elisaia, 29, Queensland Reds, 1 cap, Annabelle Codey, 26, Queensland Reds, 2 caps, Ashlea Bishop, 25, ACT Brumbies, uncapped, Ashley Marsters, 29, Melbourne Rebels 19 caps, Bree-Anna Cheatham, 26, Queensland Reds, 1 cap, Bridie O’Gorman, 24, NSW Waratahs, 11 caps, Caitlyn Halse, 16, NSW Waratahs, uncapped, Carys Dallinger, 23, Queensland Reds, uncapped, Cecilia Smith, 29, Queensland Reds, 5 caps, Deni Ross, 22, Queensland Reds – uncapped, Desiree Miller, 21, NSW Waratahs – uncapped, Emily Robinson, 30, NSW Waratahs, 18 caps, Eva Karpani, 26, NSW Waratahs, 13 caps, Faitala Moleka, 18, ACT Brumbies, uncapped, Georgina Friedrichs, 2, NSW Waratahs, 11 caps, Grace Hamilton, 31, NSW Waratahs, 25 caps, Ivania Wong, 25, Queensland Reds, 7 caps, Jasmin Huriwai, 29, ACT Brumbies, uncapped, Laiema Bosenavulagi, 17, Melbourne Rebels – uncapped, Layne Morgan, 24, NSW Waratahs, 11 caps, Leilani Nathan, 22, NSW Waratahs, uncapped, Madison Schuck, 31, Queensland Reds, 5 caps, Maya Stewart, 23, NSW Waratahs, 1 cap, Michaela Leonard, 28, Western Force, 14 caps, Sarah Lewis, 25, Queensland Reds, uncapped, Sera Naiqama, 27, NSW Waratahs, 6 caps, Shannon Parry, 33, Queensland Reds, 23 caps, Siokapesi Palu, 28, ACT Brumbies, 1 cap, Tabua Tuinakauvadra, 20, ACT Brumbies, uncapped, Tania Naden, 31, ACT Brumbies, 2 caps, Trilleen Pomare, 30, Western Force, 21 caps.