The Sydney National Championship team, comprising of nine Sydney Uni Womens Rugby (SUWRC) representatives, secured three solid wins during their tour of New Zealand from 11-20 March.
Sydney Uni girls, Barbara Waddell, Emily Chancellor, Kimberley Davey, Fi Jones, Michelle Bailey, Grace Hamilton, Ash Hewson, Brittany Le’aua’nae and Penelope Leiataua all took part in 10 day tour which saw Sydney play three games. Two games were contested in Auckland against College Rifles/Auckland Invitational and College Riffles 1st grade, and one game in Rotorua against the provincial side, Bay of Plenty.
Despite a 6 hour delay on Friday which hampered the team’s preparation for the first game, Sydney came away with a 22-19 victory over College Rifles/Auckland Invitational. Game 2 saw the Sydney girls take on Bay of Plenty, with a final score of 39-5. The final tour game was against College Rifles 1st grade team and the girls ended the tour on a massive high with a 34-10 victory.
This tour proved integral in the lead up to the 2016 Australian National Championship from which the Australian squad will be selected to play test matches later this year in preparation for the 2017 Women’s Rugby World Cup.
