Former Fijian Drua captain Bitila Tawake is gearing up for a challenging encounter against the Wallaroos at Allianz Stadium in Sydney tonight. Tawake, returning to the field after a period of rehabilitation, expressed her determination and readiness for the match, emphasizing the rigorous rehab process she underwent.
Tawake acknowledged the difficulty of watching games from the sidelines, noting it tested her patience and required her to trust in the rehabilitation system. As she returns to the field, she anticipates a tough match, given the Wallaroos’ lineup of players they have previously faced in the Super W.
On the other side, Wallaroos’ halfback Layne Morgan highlighted her team’s commitment to turning around their Test season, having faced defeats against Canada, USA, and New Zealand in the Pacific Four campaign. Morgan, aged 25, sees this match as an opportunity to showcase their growth and believes that their dedication to improving their rugby skills will be evident on the field.
Morgan stated that the team always takes pride in their capabilities and is confident in their potential to win. Despite the ups and downs of the sport, she affirmed their readiness to face Fiji and emphasized the importance of continuing to develop the sport for future generations. Morgan is committed to fostering the next wave of Wallaroos and is excited about the growth of rugby in the women’s arena.
Morgan’s experience and recent Super W success with NSW will be crucial against a Fijiana team coming off an undefeated Oceania Championships campaign. She has been working on adjusting her skills, including incorporating more kicking into her game, as part of her preparation.
Morgan is expected to start in the number nine jersey, being one of only two halfbacks named in Yapp’s 30-woman squad, alongside uncapped Queenslander Nat Wright. Her Test experience and tactical adjustments will be vital in countering the Fijiana’s strong performance.
As both teams prepare for an intense matchup, the anticipation is building for what promises to be a thrilling game at Allianz Stadium.