A blazing Grace: Hamilton joins Wallaroos for Bledisloe curtain-raiser

Following in the footsteps of players like Alana Thomas, Hamilton is about to step out on to the grandest stage in world rugby, a Bledisloe Cup match at the Auckland fortress.

And Hamilton, who completed high school at Kinross, still, can’t quite believe she’ll be there.

“It was all a bit of a blur really,” Hamilton said after finding out of her selection at the start of the week.

“From being told they would like me to go one day, to flying out the next I didn't really have anytime for it to sink in.

“Obviously this is the pinnacle for women in rugby and I am thankful for the opportunity but I think I'm still in shock.”

Hamilton says she’s expecting a brutal game against the Black Ferns, with the Wallaroos claiming a 21-19 victory in their first tour match over the Auckland Storm on Tuesday afternoon.

“The game will be tough but I have full faith in the girls around me,” she said.

“I have not played against the Black Ferns before but to be in the mix to play the best team in the world is exciting.

“They will be physical and determined to not let us succeed on their home soil so we will really have to step up and lift for each other to contend that.”

Hamilton first got a taste of international rugby when she was included in the Wallaroos squad in 2015, after blitzing the women’s national championship with the title-winning Sydney side.

“Playing rugby at the highest level has obviously been a dream of mine since I started playing … I've worked through the ups and downs but keeping that fire in my belly has been important,” she said.

“I have had great support around me and I just hope if I run onto that field I can do everyone proud.”

Orange Emus stalwart Amanda Ferguson is also the manager of the Australian women’s rugby union side, and is on tour in New Zealand with the girls.

The match will be broadcast LIVE on FOX SPORTS and online radio call viawww.abc.net.au/grandstand from 3pm.