A fierce battle is expected against the Wallaroos tonight, according to former Fijian Drua captain Bitila Tawake, as they gear up for their Test match at Allianz Stadium in Sydney.
Tawake, making a return after a period of rehabilitation, described the challenge of recovering from her injury. “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 underscored the strength of their opposition, noting, “We’ve played against most of these players in the Super W and now they are all put into one team.”
Wallaroos halfback Layne Morgan expressed her team’s readiness to turn their Test fortunes around against Fiji. The Wallaroos have faced a challenging season, with defeats to Canada, USA, and New Zealand during their Pacific Four campaign.
Morgan, 25, believes this match offers a crucial opportunity to showcase their development under coach Yapp. “We always have pride in ourselves and we know our capabilities. Our rugby is improving the more effort we put into it, and you can see that every girl is passionate and striving for excellence,” she said. “We do think we can win these games. We do believe in ourselves. It’s just the nature of rugby with its ups and downs, but I definitely think that we’ll come out ready to smash Fiji.”
Morgan is also focused on helping develop the next generation of Wallaroos. “It’s so exciting to see that rugby is growing in the female arena,” she remarked. “When I was growing up, I didn’t even know what a Wallaroo was, so it’s important to provide current players with role models.”
Looking ahead, Morgan is optimistic about the future of women’s rugby. “By 2029, there’s gonna be a huge boom in the sport, but we’ve got to start working now to ensure the future is bright for the upcoming players.”
Morgan is likely to start as the halfback against Fijiana, competing with uncapped Queenslander Nat Wright. Her experience in Tests and with NSW’s Super W team will be crucial against a Fijiana team buoyed by their undefeated run in the Oceania Championships.
Acknowledging Fiji’s recent success, Morgan is preparing to adjust her game. “I think bringing in that kicking game is something that I don’t normally do throughout Super W, so that’s something we’re looking to introduce into my game,” she explained. “And then just building on those little nine skills – having that run, pass, kick option – and having all three threats.”