The NSW Waratahs Women returned from their 10-day tour of New Zealand that included games against the Hurricanes in Palmerston North and the Blues in Auckland.
The Michael Ruthven-coached touring party of 31 players and eight staff returned to Sydney with a 41-24 loss to the Hurricanes and a 36-36 draw versus the Blues.
The NSW Waratahs Women did not waste any time after returning home in their preparation for the Super Rugby Women’s competition that starts on 28 February.
The NSW Waratahs Women will kick off their campaign at 5.05pm on 28 February against the Fijian Drua at Allianz Stadium in Moore Park, Sydney as part of a marquee Double Header that will see the NSW Waratahs men take on the Drua afterwards.
The NSW Waratahs women resumed training on Monday for their next trial on today against the ACT Brumbies at Campbelltown Harlequin Rugby Club in Sydney at 3 pm.
In the lead up to today’s game, Ruthven looked at the ‘take outs’ from their New Zealand trip.
“We probably underestimated the level of physicality that our opposition were going to bring to the game early. We lost the contact and collision battle early. Their offload game through contact was exceptional, and the speed of the game was rapid.
“We struggled to build momentum and found ourselves behind three or four tries early, but the girls warmed into it. We started to control more footy and got some bodies in front of our opposition. In defence, we pegged momentum back and created some nice tries. Take the first quarter out of the game, we were in the contest for the rest of it.
“We won the second half. The other really pleasing aspect was our set piece. Our scrum performed well. Our maul was strong. The big thing we took away was the mindset around contact and collision. We saw growth there from game one to two.
“We were disappointed with the result and elements of the performance from game one. What we did walk away with was an awareness of what was required around the contact and collision space, to make sure we were in the contest early in the game.”
Millie Parker
Maya Stewart
Brit Merlo
Arabella McKenzie
Arabella McKenzie (2)
“The Blues won Super Rugby Aupiki last year. We did a bit of homework in and around them from a couple of last year’s games. They presented a similar challenge physically.
“They're a team with some quality Black Ferns. We knew it would be another tough challenge. The big difference was awareness of what our focus had to be during the week, and application during training. It gave us the right mindset going into that game.
“There were consistent themes defensively from both games that highlighted areas we need to improve on. We showed from an attack perspective that when we control and work hard off the ball, we can find shape quickly, create opportunity and create space.
“It was a great opportunity for lots of players to experience that that style of footy. We have a number of new faces. For a lot, it was their first opportunity to pull on a Waratahs jersey against quality opposition. Some of our younger players rose to the physical challenge, and the class of your Maya Stuarts, Georgina, Friedrichs, Desi Millers, Bella McKenzies … They showed in periods their class. But the most pleasing thing our forward pack … in some of the set piece work we competed very well in that space.”
Brit Merlo
Maya Stewart
Desiree Miller (3)
Ruby Anderson
Millie Parker
Desiree Miller (2)
“It was a jam packed ten days. The girls didn't get a huge amount of downtime to relax, but they bought into the ten days from a rugby perspective. The attitude was great.
Matty Evrard [team Program Manager] did a huge amount of work around the ‘Amazing Race,’ … [the TV series where teams fulfill challenges while driving to a destination].
“We were in three vans and had to stop at certain locations to do challenges. The three groups were known as the ‘Ultimate Professionals,’ the ‘Fighters’ and the ‘Connectors.’
The Connectors won. The Fighters came second, the Ultimate Professionals were last.
“At one eating station, they had to eat a can of cod liver, a plate of sardines, a can of Spam, a big tub of chili hot sauce … eat all of it. There was a water theme park where three players from each team competed in a time trial through an obstacle course.
“There were two choreography challenges on the long leg from Wellington to Auckland.
“One group had to perform a Haka. Another had to perform a version of a dance.
“There was another stop where they had to solve a Rubik's cube. And then there was one other eating challenge, which was a can of anchovies and a tub of wasabi.
“It was a fun connection piece in our travel from Palmerston North to Wellington, and Wellington to Auckland.
“I was conscious of not forcing too much from that view, just let connections and friendships grow and foster organically.
“With the new faces in the group, it was allowed existing players to make them feel welcome, comfortable. Everyone walked away from a positive, enjoyable experience.
“In these last two trial games, we want to implement and execute the things we learned about ourselves physically while we were away.
“They are also opportunities to continue to look at different combinations and get a real sense of continuity around how we want to play the game.
“We're in a good spot. The girls finished the tour off with a great sense of confidence, not necessarily based on the result, but on what's possible with the right mindset.”
When: Today - Saturday 15 February at 3 pm
Where: Campbelltown Harlequin Rugby Club
Entry: Free
Note: The game will not be streamed live
