“We’re going to end up probably pulling players out, and for her to remain on her accelerated return, getting support at RA, I genuinely think there will probably be, at some point, an opportunity to bring her out later in the tournament.”

“So it’s definitely not the end of her opportunity in the World Cup, but also now she can buckle down, she can focus on her rehab here with the attention she needs, which is, like, one-to-one every day to give herself the best shot of now coming in later on.”

Moleka is the younger sister of Faitala Moleka, and was a star sevens player from Penrith who emerged for the Brumbies in Super W this year.

There remains some chance Caslick could join the squad later at the World Cup as an injury replacement, but only if a spot opens up due to a tournament-ending injury to someone else in the squad.

Speaking to media last week before the decision was made, Caslick said she was being realistic about her chances.

“There are some days where I’m a little bit sad, but I’m trying to maintain a good headspace,” she said.

Caslick was hoping to add some XVs World Cup silverware to her overflowing cabinet of sevens achievements, which includes gold medals from the Olympics, Commonwealth Games and the Sevens World Cup. She debuted against Fiji in Suva in May and played five Tests for the Wallaroos.

Due to return to the Australian sevens program after the World Cup, Caslick said she’d learned a great deal in XVs.

“It’s been great,” Caslick told reporters on Wednesday.

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“It’s been super challenging at times, but I’ve really enjoyed it. Not that I was hesitant, [but] it’s always hard doing something that’s out of your comfort zone.

“When you’re in an environment so long, and Sevens has always sort of been home for me, it was challenging and hard to do something new.

“But I’m really proud of myself. I really want to get to this Rugby World Cup. And at this stage, I hope I do. But if not, I’ve still made amazing friends and memories. I’m proud of myself, no matter what.”