Saturday’s opening Laurie O’Reilly Cup clash at Sydney’s ANZ Stadium means everything to the new-look Wallaroos, just ask them.
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There’s plenty on the line in terms of the game and the series against the Black Ferns and it also marks the on-field beginning of the Wallaroos’ preparation for the 2021 World Cup, but there’s more to it than that.
Saturday’s Test is the Wallaroos’ 50th but more importantly it’s the side’s first on home soil in more than a decade, the last was a six-point loss to New Zealand in July of 2008.
Naturally that means Saturday will be the first time Panuara’s Grace Hamilton – and so many of her Wallaroos teammates – will play in front of their friends and family on Australian shores, and that’s massive.
“I’m so excited,” Hamilton said.
“It’s going to be really special, I’ll have a lot of family and friends in the crowd which is so fantastic and I’m so thankful for their support.”
While the Wallaroos haven’t enjoyed much success against the Black Ferns recently – New Zealand won their two Tests in 2016 67-3 and 29-2 – they do head in on the back of an unprecedented preparation.
Professionalism in women’s rugby is constantly increasing and Australia heads into Saturday with the benefit of the inaugural Super W tournament and a plethora of state-based training camps in the lead-up.
Hamilton is a relative veteran of the side already and will line up at No.8, with coach Dwayne Nestor naming nine debutantes including inside centre Crystal Maguire, who replaces Sarah Riordan after she suffered a freak ankle injury at training.
”A veteran? I don’t know about that,” Hamilton laughed.
“I still have a lot to learn but definitely have some experience to offer the girls coming through and the debutantes. Both flankers will be playing their first so I just want them to thrive, and offer any support I can.”
“[New Zealand] are the best in the world and yes we can learn a lot off them, however we have really come together as a squad and have nothing to lose it’s a great position to be in.
“If everyone can do their role effectively I do believe we can give the Black Ferns a run for their money.”
Saturday’s Laurie O’Reilly Cup opener kicks off at 5.15pm, with the Bledisloe Cup kicking off afterward. The Wallaroos head to Auckland the week after for the return clash.
- WALLAROOS: 1 Emily Robinson, 2 Liz Patu ©, 3 Evelyn Horomia, 4 Michelle Millward, 5 Rebecca Clough, 6 Emily Chancellor, 7 Georgia O’Neill, 8 Grace Hamilton, 9 Cobie-Jane Morgan, 10 Trileen Pomare, 11 Samantha Treherne, 12 Crystal Maguire, 13 Atasi Lafai, 14 Mhicca Carter, 15 Mahalia Murphy; Bench: 16 Daryl Wickliffe, 17 Melissa Fatu, 18 Hana Ngaha, 19 Alisha Hewett, 20 Kiri Lingman, 21 Alice Tonumaivao, 22 Fenella Hake, 23 Shanice Parker
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