Former Fijian Drua captain Bitila Tawake is anticipating a fierce encounter against the Wallaroos in tonight’s Test clash at Allianz Stadium in Sydney. Making her comeback after rehab, Tawake admitted that watching from the sidelines was challenging. “It tested my patience as I had to do my rehab properly,” she said, emphasizing the importance of trusting the system.
Tawake expects a tough match against a Wallaroos side comprising players they have faced in the Super W, now united in one team.
On the Wallaroos’ side, halfback Layne Morgan commented on her team’s readiness to turn around their Test fortunes following defeats to Canada, USA, and New Zealand in the Pacific Four campaign. Morgan, 25, expressed confidence in their growth under coach Yapp and the possibility of a strong performance against Fiji in Sydney. “We always have pride in ourselves and we know our capabilities,” she said. “We believe in ourselves and think we can win these games.”
Morgan is also focused on developing future Wallaroos. “It’s so exciting to see rugby growing in the female arena,” she said, aiming to inspire the next generation. She believes in a significant boom in the sport by 2029 and emphasizes the importance of current effort for future success.
With her experience and recent Super W performance against the Fijian Drua, Morgan is expected to start as halfback alongside uncapped Queenslander Nat Wright in Yapp’s 30-woman squad. Her strategy includes refining her skills at the ruck base and introducing a kicking game, an area she plans to enhance.
Fiji’s unbeaten run in the Oceania Championships has prompted Morgan to adjust her approach accordingly. “Introducing that kicking game and building on those little nine skills – run, pass, kick – and having all three threats will be my focus,” Morgan concluded.