Former Glen Innes resident Alana Thomas has been named in the Wallaroos training squad for two rugby union internationals against New Zealand in October.

Thomas now resides in Forbes and represented NSW Country at the Australian Women’s Rugby titles on the Gold Coast two weeks ago, helping the team finish a credible third.

Selectors then named a preliminary squad of about 35, which is to be cut to 22 for the two tests in Canberra on October 14 and 18.

Thomas was one of five NSW Country players named in the training squad along with Coonamble’s Kylie Pennell and Newcastle trio Rebecca Trethowan, Margaret Watson and Natalie Vardanaga.

She told the Forbes Advocate it was a relief to make the squad after dislocating her elbow in her first match of the season for Orange in the Central West competition.

“It was a bit of a relief off the shoulders. I think I went reasonably well,” she said.

“I was a bit rusty to start with, but was fairly consistent, and my fitness was a lot better than I thought it would be. My goalkicking was a bit ordinary – I missed a few easy conversions, but other than that I think I did reasonably well.”

Thomas admitted to some nerves at the championships as she began her campaign to retain her spot as fly-half for the Wallaroos’ first tests on home soil.

“After coming back from a 10-week lay-off when I was told I wouldn’t play any sport again this year ... I’m over the moon to be named again in the team,” Thomas said.

“(But) I’ve still got to make the 22-man squad, so I’m not at the end of the tunnel yet.”

Thomas will now begin training to the ARU’s program before the Wallaroos squad is reduced to 22 on September 22.

The Wallaroos play two tests against New Zealand at Canberra’s Vikings Stadium on Tuesday, October 14 and Saturday, October 18.