Britney Duff, who captained the NSW Country Eagles to an historic win two weeks ago, spoke of how the two-game series has helped the women identify their skills and learn more about themselves as a player in a representative rugby environment.
“These games are very important for players leading into the Super W. These games will help girls identify areas of their game that they may get away with at club level but must improve on if they want to play at a higher level,” Duff said.
Sydney captain Sera Naiqama, who also plays for Sydney University in the Jack Scott Cup said: “Given the NSW Women’s team’s success in 2018, there’s a lot of players who want to be involved in 2019, and by playing these games, gives everyone the same opportunity and platform to have a crack. It’s an opportunity for NSW Women to get out there and prove themselves in front of the Super W selectors,” said Naiqama.
In all the years Sydney and NSW Country women have battled, NSW Country has not won a game in nearly 10 years. That was until two weeks ago when Duff led the team to a 16-17 victory.
“We really achieved something special a few weeks ago, and we now head into Sunday’s game with a strong desire to win, and the self-believe behind us that we can actually win. Not to underestimate Sydney’s game of course, because we know this match will be a lot stronger than last time and Sydney have a resilient outfit,” Duff said.
Sydney certainly didn’t go down without a fight, but the city-based side are now well aware of what NSW Country are capable of, and Naiqama believes if anything, Sydney need to be hungrier for the win come Sunday.
“With NSW Country coming off the back of a strong, close win, they’re out to prove a point. We just need to apply ourselves over the next couple of days to make sure we come out firing as well. I think it’s going to be a very exciting game until the final whistle,” Naiqama said.
When Duff is not dominating on the paddock, she works as a spray paint lead at a Panel Shop in Newcastle.
“There is a lot to love about rugby. The contact, the skill and most importantly no matter what size you are, there is always a position for you,” Duff said.
Sera Naiqama, who is studying a Marketing Diploma and works as an Executive Assistant at Sydney University, cannot fault the friendships she has made because of rugby.
“The friendships that you make are absolutely second to none. The thing that keeps me coming back year after year is the club culture and positive environment. I’ve developed so many great friendships that I will have for the rest of my life,” Naiqama said.
Sunday’s game kicks off at Camden Rugby Park at 1315 (AEST).
NSW Country Women’s squad
Katalina Baekdal
Jessica Church
Tammy Clay
Britney Duff
Naomi George
Brooke Harper
Jemima Henry
Ellie Johnstone
Jean Littlewood
Emily McDonald
Claudia McLaren
Leilane Nathan
Nicole Nathan
Peta Salter
Chloe Saunders
Mandy Scott
Marita Shoulders
Rachel Simpson
Jasmine Sio
Sharnah Stevens
Tia Tyler
Mel Waterford
Matalena Wilson
Claire Woolmington
Sydney Women
1. Kylee Coleman
2. Oren Blindell
3. Bridie O’Gorman
4. Sera Naiqama
5. Anna Andrzejewski
6. Ana-Lise Sio
7. Mikaela Trbojevich
8. Loretta Mailangi
9. Phoebe Loughhead
10. Chloe Leaupepe
11. Annie Hack
12. Clare Thomson
13. Madda Wilson
14. Courtney Frankl
15. Jude Kendrick
Reserves
16. Victoria Latu
17. Josephine Falesita
18. Tisera Volkman
19. Noella Green
20. Ella Goldsmith
21. Sabine Blakeman
22. Carmen Leung
23. Shenai Lendill
24. Anne Rutlidge
