‘Definitely not shut’: Charlotte Caslick keeps door open on NRLW return

Australian Sevens star Charlotte Caslick hasn’t ruled out a potential switch back to rugby league.

Australian Sevens star Charlotte Caslick hasn’t ruled out a potential switch back to Rugby League.

Ms Caslick is one of the biggest names in international Rugby Sevens, having won World Series titles and Olympic gold with the Australian women's sevens team.

The Brisbane-born speedster was named the world’s best women’s sevens player in 2016, and her experience and skill set has been crucial ever since.

But ever since that 2016 season, which included a historic gold medal at the Rio Games, the growth of women’s sport has been rapid.

Charlotte Caslick from the Australian women’s rugby 7s in east Brisbane. Picture: Liam Kidston

The women’s Rugby Sevens program has been a catalyst for this change, with there now being a number of women’s sports and competitions creating headlines every week.

She was injured during her one NRLW season, having played for the Sydney Roosters.

The Roosters won their maiden NRLW title last week, beating the St George Dragons in Redcliff.

But with Commonwealth and Olympic gold to chase, Ms Caslick is committed to Rugby Sevens, even though there appeared to be some interest on another code switch.

“No, definitely not shut,” Ms Caslick told the Courier Mail.

“Obviously the opportunities I get with Sevens still outweigh the benefits that I see in Rugby League at the moment.

“But I think that ability to be on free-to-air TV all the time, and like having that support network and fan base within Australia is quite crucial.

“But for me, the Olympics, Comm Games and travelling the world, playing a World Series still kind of trumps.

“Rugby Sevens is still the only professional, full-time options so I think at the moment, Sevens has a lot more pros than cons.

Charlotte Caslick playing for the Sydney Roosters in 2020. Picture: Mark Kolbe/Getty Images

“Honestly I love rugby and I love the sport and so much about it. As much as I would love to play Rugby League again, my heart’s still with Sevens.”

A number of players from the Australian Rugby Sevens program have successfully transitioned over to the NRLW competition.

Emma Tonegato, who won an Olympic gold in rugby in 2016, recently won the most prestigious individual accolade in Rugby League.

The 27-year-old was named a joint winner of the Dally M medal.

There have been a number of players who have switched to Rugby League, but as Australian women’s Sevens coach Tim Walsh said, there might be some interest in luring players from Rugby League into Sevens.

A Broncos star is among the players that Mr Walsh believes could successfully transition to rugby.

“There’s a couple there that really stand out. Tamika Upton actually, I think she’s got really good Sevens potential,” Walsh told reporters.

“Emma (Tonegato), she wasn’t sort of pillaged from us, she was at that time where this is what she wanted to do.

“There is a couple of outstanding athletes.

“Tamika Upton I think would really contribute.

“You can’t go past speed. Speed is always something that can utilise pretty well in Sevens. Teagan Berry, ex-sprinter for St George, she interests me as well.”

Originally published as ‘Definitely not shut’: Charlotte Caslick keeps door open on NRLW return