NSW Waratahs hooker Brittany Merlo is ready for another shot at a dream Wallaroos debut after her squad recall for the Fijiana Test and Pacific Four Series.
Merlo is one of ten potential debutants in the squad ahead of next weekend's first Test post-Rugby World Cup.
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The 28-year-old was selected in several camps last year, but her omission from the contracted group for 2026 was a hammer blow to her ambitions.
However, an ACL injury to Katalina Amosa has the Waratah firmly back in contention, with an intra-squad game on Saturday the perfect chance to impress new coach Sam Needs.
"It was heartbreaking not being re-signed for 2026 but injuries do happen so you always have to be ready," she told the media.
"I'm just taking it one day at a time. I'm not trying to get too far ahead of myself.
"I'm not riding the emotional roller coaster, just yet focusing on what each day brings, nailing down my details and fighting hard for whatever comes next."
Merlo admitted that missing selection last year took a toll after she helped the Waratahs to the Super Rugby W title earlier in the year.
It took going back to the grassroots to re-establish her love of the game to change her mindset about being back in Wallaroos camp.
"I think I was a bit burnt out from last year, not really enjoying footy, and I wanted to get back to what I started playing for the first place," Merlo explained.
"I think for me, it was all about being able to enjoy every moment as it came so being able to get back to club footy and kick a ball around when I'm not really a kicker, have that freedom to express myself however needed
"Being able to go back and teach/coach (at Sydney Uni), I think I found my passion back for rugby through that.
"I'm lucky enough that my partner's the coach so that's been really cool with having a piece of home there and we've just got a really new playing group."
