A fierce showdown is anticipated against the Wallaroos.
This sentiment was shared by former Fijian Drua captain Bitila Tawake as they gear up for tonight’s Test match against the Wallaroos at Allianz Stadium in Sydney.
The resilient prop is making her return following a period of rehabilitation.
“It’s been tough watching from the sidelines,” she said. “It tested my patience as I had to do my rehab properly. I had to trust the system.”
Tawake emphasized that they are bracing for a challenging match against the Wallaroos.
“We’ve played against most of these players in the Super W and now they are all put into one team,” she added.
Meanwhile, halfback Layne Morgan expressed her team’s eagerness to overturn their Test fortunes against the Fijians.
The Wallaroos have yet to secure a victory this year after losses to Canada, USA, and New Zealand in their Pacific Four campaign.
However, Morgan, 25, believes there is no better moment to showcase their development under coach Jay Yapp than by delivering a strong comeback performance against Fiji in Sydney.
“We always have pride in ourselves and we know our capabilities. We know our rugby is gonna get better and better the more we put into it, and you can see that every girl wants to strive for that and every girl is so passionate about the game,” Morgan told reporters.
“We do think we can win these games. We do believe in ourselves. It’s just the ebbs and flows of rugby, the wins, and losses, but I definitely think that we’ll come back out absolutely ready to smash Fiji.”
Morgan is committed to contributing to the development of the next generation of Wallaroos. “It’s so exciting to see that rugby is growing in the female arena,” she said.
“When I was growing up, I didn’t even know what a Wallaroo was so to be able to show them that they have something to see and have someone to be is so important.
“I think by 2029, there’s gonna be a huge boom in the sport but we’ve really got to start doing the work and helping the girls that are playing now so the future is better for the ones that are coming.”
Morgan is a strong candidate to start as halfback against Fijiana, having been named as one of only two halfbacks in Yapp’s 30-woman squad alongside uncapped Queenslander Nat Wright.
The Test experience and recent Super W record over Fijian Drua with NSW will be crucial against a Fijiana side entering the match with momentum from their unbeaten Oceania Championships campaign.
Fiji’s success has not gone unnoticed, with Morgan preparing to adjust her skills accordingly.
“I think bringing in that kicking game is something that I don’t normally do throughout Super W so that’s something that we’re looking to introduce into my game personally,” she told rugby.com.au.
“And then just building on those little nine skills – having that run, pass, kick option – and having all three threats.”