Group 10 backrower Kaitlyn Phillips is expecting to face a vastly improved Group 11 opposition when the second round of the Western Women’s Rugby League competition kicks off at Parkes on Saturday.
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And, after Group 11 coach Nick Wilson predicted his side’s forwards will out-muscle their opponents at Pioneer Oval, Phillips had this for the red and blacks to chew on ahead of kick-off.
“We’re definitely not going into the game underestimating their strength. The score in round one didn’t reflect the intensity of that match,” she began.
“However, based on our attitude, we’ll bring our A-game. If they don’t think we’ve improved since that game as well, they’ve got a big shock coming.”
Phillips has been a star on the right edge for Group 10.
The Orange Hawks product is only new to contact rugby league after an initial crack at the game with the two blues at the nines in October last year.
And now the 20-year-old has a taste of it she’s not prepared to stop any time soon.
“I wasn’t sure about it, initially, but after that first game I loved it,” she said.
“I’m not a typically-sized forward, but I think like one – I love the contact.”
Phillips drew praise from coach Jordan Dwyer in Group 10’s opening round, 30-4 win over Group 11 at Blayney then backed that five-star showing up with a three-try performance in a 50-0 victory over the Woodbridge Cup in round two.
Such is the strength of Group 10’s depth, Phillips was afforded a rest for last weekend’s clash with the Castlereagh-Barwon Cup girls.
Phillips is back now, though, and keen to continue her rich vein of form on Group 10’s right edge.
“I’m excited to be back and looking forward to doing my job for the team, which is going out there knowing I’ve got to run the ball hard and giving it everything in defence,” she said.
“Special thing about our team is everything has something different to offer and when they do that I can do my job too.”
Group 10 will be without regular skipper Amy Copping for Saturday’s clash at Parkes, with five-eighth Jess Hotham named to captain the blue and whites.
Group 10 kicks off the day against Group 11 in the under 18s at 12pm, the opens game is scheduled to start at 1pm.
Woodbridge Cup hosts Castlereagh-Barwon at Cargo, also on Saturday.
- GROUP 10: 1 Amy Hotham, 2 Meredith Jones, 15 Sally Dwyer, 4 Elise Woods, 5 Claire Woolmington, 6 Jess Hotham, 7 Rebecca Ford, 8 Marina Holmes, 9 Ella J Harris, 10 Haylee Lepaio, 11 Kaitlyn Phillips, 12 Sarah Reyter, 13 Jacky Lyden; Bench: 14 Bridie McClure, 3 Lailee Phillips, 16 Nicole Schneider, 17 Edwina Ulberg.
Nick McGrath
Editor, Central Western Daily
Editor, Central Western Daily
