It promises to be a brutal encounter against the Wallaroos.
This is the view of former Fijian Drua captain Bitila Tawake as they prepare for tonight’s Test clash against the Wallaroos at Allianz Stadium in Sydney.
The tough prop is making a comeback after undergoing rehab.
“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 highlighted that they are expecting a tough 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 says her side is embracing the challenge of turning around their Test fortunes against the Fijians.
The Wallaroos are yet to register a win this year following defeats to Canada, USA, and New Zealand across their Pacific Four campaign.
However, Morgan, 25, says there’s no better time to demonstrate their growth under Yapp than with a bounce-back 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, unfortunately, 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 determined to do her part in developing 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 likely to don the starting nine jersey against Fijiana after being named as one of just 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 vital against a Fijiana outfit coming in hot from their unbeaten Oceania Championships campaign.
Fiji’s success hasn’t gone unnoticed, with Morgan preparing to tweak her skills from the ruck base 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.”
Feedback: leonec@fijisun.com.fj