A long-awaited debut in Blacks colours next month will help decide the World Cup fate of Maitland product Mollie Gray.
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The 27-year-old was one of three Hunter players named on Wednesday in the Wallaroos squad for the Ireland-based tournament in August.
However, to join former Merewether Carlton fullback Sarah Riordan and current Merewether resident Katrina Barker overseas, Gray must undergo a fitness test to prove she has recovered from major knee surgery earlier this year.
And with the Sydney competition nearing finals Gray has looked to her home club for that game on July 22.
“My first game back will actually be with Maitland,” she said. “I really want to make that World Cup.”
Gray represented the Australian women’s team at the last World Cup in France in 2014. It will be the first campaign for both Riordan and Barker. The trio have a combined 17 Test caps between them. The Wallaroos have drawn France, Japan and the hosts in Pool C.