NRLW 2022: Why Charlotte Caslick chose sevens over league
Charlotte Caslick has seen some of her former sevens teammates tear it up in the NRLW, but the chance to dominate rugby league again is off the table.
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Rugby Australia has had a huge win with sevens superstar Charlotte Caslick ruling out a return to the NRLW after she made a big impact with the Roosters back in 2020.
Caslick played two games for the Tricolours after she joined them as a marquee signing following the Tokyo Olympics postponement, which gave her plenty of time to ply her trade in the NRLW.
Her time in rugby league was cut short when scans revealed two small fractures in her lumbar spine that forced her to miss the grand final loss to Brisbane that year.
Caslick hasn’t played in the NRLW since, but seeing former sevens teammates Emma Tonegato and Evania Pelite carve up last season led to some speculation that she may return one day.
“I loved my time at the Roosters. The club was incredible and I still keep in touch with a lot of the staff and the girls there,” Caslick told NCA NewsWire.
“But I think for the moment, the opportunities I get with rugby still outweigh what rugby league can offer me. As much as I enjoyed the game, I’m committed to rugby.”
Sevens converts dominated the NRLW this season, with Tonegato claiming the Dally M Medal along with former Bronco Millie Boyle before she lined up against Pelite in the women’s State of Origin clash last month.
Both are in line to make the Jillaroos squad for this year’s World Cup, but Caslick has no intention of joining Tonegato, with whom she won a gold medal at the Rio Olympics.
“I know for Emma and Evania, they were interested in staying in Australia a bit more so they can be closer to home,” she said ahead of the Birmingham Commonwealth Games that start later this month.
“That probably helped them make that decision, whereas I really enjoy the travel. I love this group of girls and I feel like we’re growing towards something really special.”
Originally published as NRLW 2022: Why Charlotte Caslick chose sevens over league
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