It’s been relentless, a whirlwind, but ultimately, it’s also been a successful year for the Wallaroos first-ever full-time coach. It wasn’t shaping up that way, but with Rugby World Cup qualification achieved and the WXV 2 trophy in the cabinet clear strides have been made and the Wallaroos have started to show signs of the force they could become.
Here we are, about to begin another season of Premiership Women’s Rugby. Last season saw Gloucester-Hartpury Women lift the trophy once again, winning a free-flowing finale against Bristol Bears Women.
The NSW Waratahs have taken the first step towards redemption with a season-opening 45-10 Super Rugby Women's victory over the ACT Brumbies.
The Fijian Drua made history in both of the last two seasons as they joined the NSW Waratahs as the only teams to have ever been crowned Super W champions.
Fiji and Spain were involved in some proper tussles - competition their set-ups have been craving - whilst Kazakstan battling past Kenya offered a glimpse of what’s to come from their reinvigorated 15s programme. There were a few wince-inducing scorelines, but - given that Colombia’s opener against Fiji was their 10th-ever test match - the fact they found themselves with a seat at the table at all is to be celebrated, and could prove a sea-change moment in their development.
The six teams have been named ahead of the first round of WXV 1 in Wellington. All matches will be played at Sky Stadium, kicking off with England vs Australia on Friday 20th October. On Saturday 21st October Canada will face Wales before home side New Zealand take on France in a RWC2021 semi-final rematch.
The Australians open their campaign in Wellington against England on Friday night, followed by matches against France and Wales.
Michaela Leonard will lead the Wallaroos on a four-Test tour of New Zealand while regular captain Piper Duck recovers from ankle surgery.
Wallaroos captain Piper Duck is set for her first appearance in the Pacific Four Series after being included on the bench to face Canada in their final match of the tournament.
Australia went 0-3 in last year's Pacific Four but saved their best performance for the Americans, charging home with two late tries to fall narrowly short and lose 16-14.
