A Super Conversation with Queenland's Saxon Campbell

Super W has lift-off !!!

The Reds women had an official bye during week one of Super W last week and instead had a hit-out against a strong Fijiana team. I was glad to be there to support, even though they didn't come out on top, this time.

This coming weekend, they are in Perth playing the Western Force! One player who is looking forward to the game is Saxon Campbell, an experienced lock, who has represented Queensland for a number of years. It was great hearing about her determination and focus on bringing the trophy home in 2020. I'm sure you'll enjoy reading out conversation.

A huge thanks Saxon for taking time out from a busy training week to chat!

Tough outcome last weekend, but it was just a warm-up. What did you learn from Sunday’s game, both personally and as a team?

Personally, for myself, I probably could have given more. Only because with my team-mates, everyone tries to do their job and plays to their strengths as well. So felt that I could have given more personally to the team and the girls.

For the team, coming together, having a long pre-season, we worked through what our structures were, what we should have brought, but we didn’t execute very well. That’s definitely a learning curve for us moving forward.

I’m really excited about your first official game this weekend. What’s going to be the team’s focus on Saturday?

Last week, we had a few key players out, so having them back this week will be good. There’ll be more talking… There’s a person that’s a talker, there’s a person that’s a doer. Like Shannon, she does her role, you follow her.. Lori’s a good talker, Courts is a good talker… When you have those people in your ear, that’s what’s going to change this week. It’ll be a good change.

You made your debut for Queensland back in 2012. How have things changed since then? And also, what was your highlight of the 2019 Super W season?

Geez, you’re going way back! I think, just the growth of womens sport… Back in 2012, we had to pay to play. We definitely didn’t get access to the gym, we didn’t get a kit back then… I think there were a few times where we could fundraise to play and obviously to travel. Now, what’s changed is that we don’t have to pay, we get looked after by our management, at least… which makes it more stress-free. All we have to do is rock up, train and play.

And my highlight of last season… I guess just being able to be a part of the campaign and being a part of how women’s sport has developed. And just being amongst the talented women that I get to play alongside and wearing the jersey is something that I’m proud of. Especially for my nieces! My nieces, 5 and 10, are getting into rugby now and they watch my sister and I. I hope that them watching me will inspire them as well!

What inspired you to play rugby?

So I come from a netball background. My sister Cheyenne Cambell, she actually played with Mosy [Moana Virtue, Reds head coach], they were playing with Easts at the time and pretty much dominating the comp back then. 2011 was my first time playing open rugby. My sister got me into it and I haven’t looked back since. She’s inspired me and is basically my everything, she’s my go-to when I need some advice. I make sure that she watches my game and she’s my hardest critic as well. I always learn from her.

What are your goals looking forward?

I just want to take it game by game, do my role and make sure I’m contributing to the team and doing my one percenters throughout the games. Each game is obviously different and you have to look at them differently. But if I stick to my role, my ultimate goal is to bring the trophy back. That’s what I want to work towards.. Basically, don’t give up.

What’s your favourite thing to do, outside of rugby?

Um, I just like to chill really! I like to be with my family. If I can get away and just relax, especially after a training week, it’s nice to just wind down and chill with the family, hang out with friends, maybe get a beer (laughs).

Thanks Saxon for taking time to chat. All the best over in Perth, this Saturday!!!!

Thank you so much for having me! I hope I was as entertaining as the superstars you get here (laughs).

Are you a Believer? A Conversation with Queensland and Wallaroo Flanker: Kiri Lingman

What are your beliefs? I'm a believer that 2020 is gonna be a great year for Queensland rugby!

Week 1 of Super W is finally here!!! Queensland has a bye on the competition schedule, but instead has an extra game against Fijiana! There was a real buzz of excitement in the air when I went to visit Ballymore this week.

Few people are more excited to finally start the season than Kiri Lingman! The daughter of a former-Wallaroo has risen up the ranks to become one of Queensland's (and the nation's) senior players and leaders. After patiently persevering through injury setbacks, she is looking forward to the season that awaits…

It’s week 1! Queensland officially has a bye, but you do have a “pre-season” type game again Fiji. How has training gone and are you looking forward to your first game?

Yeah! So personally, this has been the biggest and hardest pre-season I’ve ever been a part of. Super W is such a short format, you feel like you’re training for so long - to get to this point, it’s almost your reward. To be able to do that in a trial match before we hit the Super W round is perfect, to be honest.

What are you looking forward to most about this season?

To me, even though it’s a new season and a new group of girls, it almost feels like things are progressing as one. From the first year, to the second, to the third, there’s been an obvious progression, not just in terms of skill-sets, but as a brand in general.

Personally, coming back from injury, being able to play is the biggest thing, obviously. But overall, just seeing where we take it as a team and as a franchise. The first year of being called the Queensland Reds [not just the ‘Queensland Women’s XV’] is really exciting, we don’t take that lightly - that’s a huge honour. I guess playing under that banner and seeing what we can do as a team is what I’m looking forward to the most!

What was your highlight, playing rugby in 2019?

I think last year, Super W was probably the first highlight. I think the second was the announcement of Japan against the Wallaroos. Overall, it was rewarding for Women’s Rugby in Australia. We haven’t had the opportunity to play middle-tier countries in such a long time. It was the perfect opportunity to show what we could do and take two wins away. It was a highlight watching them! [Kiri’s shoulder wasn't 100%, so unfortunately she was unable to play in those games.]

What lessons have you learnt while recovering from your major injury in 2017?

That was a really big one. It wasn’t my first major injury, but it was the first time it had such a big impact on my life. I think I learnt the importance of being really diligent with all aspects of your body, particularly with training and recovery. Back then I was about 22, so I bounced back a lot easier after trainings. And I really took for granted the recovery and the little side of things, like the extras in the gym and being diligent about the things that you don’t take a lot of notice of. It also was a huge mental learning curve about having a setback and regrouping and refocusing and working to get back to a point. It wasn’t the greatest thing that's happened to me, but I’m always a huge believer that everything happens for a reason and I definitely found that out. It put me on a different path and that’s where I am today.

Who was your biggest rugby hero growing up?

One that really stands out and I’m sure you know is Liam Gill. Going through school, I played netball, so I didn’t pay much attention to rugby. My parents were huge rugby fans, so I remember watching it with them on the couch on Friday nights… but when I left school, that’s when l I actually started paying attention to what they were doing.

When I first started playing rugby, I watched it even more. I didn’t have an idea of what position I wanted to play, or what to do in that position. I remember watching the Reds during that time and seeing Liam Gill play and I remember the commentators always using the word “work-horse” with him. He stood out because of his work ethic and how good he was in so many areas of the game. I enjoyed watching him and thought he was an outstanding player, especially being a “jack of all trades”. 

He probably, in a weird way, put me on my path as a flanker! As far as idols go, in a rugby sense, I think he’s my main one.

Your Mum was a Wallaroos coach in the early 90s. What are a few things you’ve learnt from her about the game?

Quite a lot! The thing with Mum is she has a really old-school approach, so to her brute force is the main approach. When I first started, I wasn’t the most aggressive person on the field. Even now, I’d say aggression isn’t my forte, but Mum is “old school, hit ‘em hard, tackle hard, run hard”… so  I always get a nice little pump up message from her about being aggressive out on the field.

Even as the game evolves and coaches have a different spin on things, Mum has a really simple, old-school approach and sometimes it’s nice to think of the game that way. Just getting back to catch-pass, running the ball, tackling - she really hones in on those three skills and doing them well. That’s probably the biggest thing she’s taught me, always be good with the basics.

You only started playing rugby in 2014, down at Sunnybank. What inspired you to play at that time?

Um, I think at that time, it hadn’t been confirmed but there was a lot of talk about Sevens becoming an Olympic sport. For some reason, something in the back of my head, I don't know if it was fate or destiny or whatever, but something in the back of my head was telling me I needed to play rugby or give it a try, my parents had been a bit of an influence on that too... I was scared to, because of what the sport entails, but one day I just said "no, I'm gonna do it", I went down to closest club, which was Sunnybank and I gave it a go. So that's pretty much it.

Thanks for taking time to chat Kiri! All the best against WA next weekend. I’ll be watching!

Thank you!

Catching up with Queenslander and Wallaroo Averyl Mitchell

In case you’re under a rock in rugby-land, you’ll know the Super W competition is set to take off next weekend!

The Reds women will start with a buy, before flying to Perth(!) to play the Western Force. Lock it in your calendars - Saturday February 22nd at 6pm our time (AEST).

To celebrate the start of Super W 2020, I caught up with Averyl Mitchell, hooker for the Queensland Reds and the Wallaroos!

On a wet day at Ballymore, Averyl took time out from her hectic work and training day to come indoors and have a chat. Hope you enjoy reading my interview!

Hey Averyl, thanks for making time to catch up today! I know you have a busy life down here at Ballymore!

The Super W season is almost here! How excited are you and the team?

I’m really excited. I’ve actually come back, in the last couple of weeks, from a stress fracture on my foot. So I’ve been captain of the Watt bike for 2 months straight. I’m just so excited to even be at training, just to rip in and get some contact. We’re super excited, after last year, we’re keen to prepare and have a great season.

Are you looking forward to your trip to Perth for the first game on the 22nd February?

Yes and no! The trip to Perth is a bit of a long one. That’s one where you’ve got your kit on, but you always make sure you’ve got your skins and your depression socks on

Yes and no - I get bored on the plane, but I’m really excited to play WA. They’re a really tough physical opponent. They’re a little bit mysterious over there, we don’t see too much of them, so I’m really looking forward to seeing what the team's like this year.

What was the highlight of last years Super W season?

I think the grand final. Not losing it obviously, but getting to it. It was the first time Lori (Cramer) played footy together in quite a while. We met playing rugby at UQ and she’s one of my best mates, that was pretty unreal - and it’s been a dream of mine to play for Queensland. Getting on the bus on the way to the game and my hands were shaking, I was so nervous. Just because it was a culmination of all these years, of grinding away at it, all these injuries and not knowing you’d ever make it. It was so special to wear the jersey! That was the highlight for me I reckon.

What was your favourite thing about playing for Wallaroos last year!

Averyl makes ground for the Wallaroos, against Japan last year in Newcastle

Nothing too new for you, almost the same answer. Playing for your country, is probably the highest individual honour that you can receive in your life. To do that was just a dream come true. It’s a bit of an emotional thing - but getting to do that was an incredible experience and with one of my best mates was pretty unreal. It was a bit of a busy year for me!

What advice would you give to rugby players, both boys and girls, wanting to take rugby seriously?

As weird as it sounds, you’ve got to have the “fun” thing first. At it’s foundation… You’ve got to love your rugby, you’ve got to enjoy it. But the next thing is, if you use me as an example... I’m not really talented at all, I’m not very agile, I have low physical intelligence, I can’t really dance, I wasn’t really an incredible athlete through school, (I played soccer, rugby wasn’t really an option), I suppose... just keep chipping away at it. [Work hard.]

I just read an article about Dane Zander who’s playing for the Reds now, he didn’t even make Nudgee’s First XV. I dunno. I’ve never been the most talented, but I just keep chipping away at it. So if you love it, just keep doing a little bit at a time.

That would probably be my advice. Have patience and enjoy your footy.

What’s your favourite thing to do outside of rugby and outside of graphic design work?

Tricky! You took away the easy answer there! I suppose I like to hang out with my friends and family my dog… but in my spare time, I really like to draw. I’m quite arty. I like coffee shops, that’s another of my favourite things.

Thank you again for your time today! All the best as you prepare for your first game in Perth on February 22nd! 

Not at all. Thank you for interviewing me, after I point blank insisted that you do so. So I’m happy to make time for that. This is a really cool thing! You will remain my favourite Hamilton, until this Super W season is over, at which case - you will still be my favourite Hamilton. Thanks for the chat!

Catching up with Carter Gordan

Super Rugby has kicked off for 2020! The Reds lost by only 3 points to the Brumbies last week, but gave us a solid sign of things to come this season. This Saturday, they play the Lions, in their home territory of Johannesburg, South Africa! I'll be tuning in for sure.

With much of the team away, I caught up with a few of the lads still training (some doing rehab) at Ballymore and had a good sit-down with Carter Gordan!

Carter spent 2019 as a part of the development Reds squad and after a strong showing playing for the West Bulldogs was was named in this years team! Full of potential on the field and a wonderful person off the field, Carter looks like he’ll be ready soon to live out his childhood dream and run out with the Maroon jersey!

Hey Carter, thanks for making time to catch up today!

That’s alright. Anytime!

How have you found training at Ballymore so far this year?

Trainings been interesting. A lot more knowledge stuff this year, around our game plan, around what we want to do. But it’s been really enjoyable and all the boys are making it easy. I’m loving it.

What do you love most about being a part of the Reds squad?

For me, this is only my second year with the Reds boys, I think, just being involved with everything. I’m still learning heaps from the players and the coaches, they've really helped me develop my game. So just learning and being more included.

You’re a Brissy boy now, but you’re originally from the Sunny Coast. How did you find moving from there to Brisbane?

Yeah. So I grew up on the Sunshine Coast, I moved to Brisbane to be in the boarding school at 14. It wasn’t too bad. I didn’t find it too complicated, I wasn’t really a homeboy anyway! I found it pretty easy to transition. I just stayed down here and moved into my own place when I finished school, so I’ve really enjoyed it.

Boarding school didn’t teach me to cook or anything, but it definitely made the change a lot easier.

When did you start playing rugby and what inspired you to play the game?

I was grade one when I started playing rugby, so 6 or 7 years old. My dad played rugby, so he was always pushing us. I loved rugby before I started playing. When I was in prep, it’s all we used to talk about and watch at home. I got into it at grade one when I was old enough to play and that stated me off.

I heard that Dan Carter was one of your heroes growing up. Who else did you look up to while you learning the game?

I always liked watching Dan Carter, especially the technical side of his game. He was one of my biggest heroes growing up. I liked watching the Australian guys too, like Berrick Barnes and those guys.

Recently I’ve enjoyed watching Johny Sexton and the way he plays. He’s probably my number one right now.

What’s your favourite thing to do outside of rugby?

I play a lot of golf. Golf is probably my favourite thing other than rugby to do. I feel like when I need to get away from rugby for a little bit, I can go away for a round and get the clubs out and not think too much about footy.

What are your personal goals at the moment?

For me, I’ve had a couple of niggly injuries in my knees, so at the moment I’m just trying to fix them and get to 100%. Probably my number #1 goal for this year and probably my #1 goal leading up, my whole life, is to play for the Queensland Reds. I’ve wanted to play for the Reds ever since I started rugby. So I’m just grateful to play here and keen to put on the maroon jersey!

That’s awesome. Thanks for the interview Carter. I’m cheering you and all of the Reds boys on this season! There are great things to come in 2020 I am sure!

Thanks Tommy! Great to see you! I look forward to seeing you more and hopefully doing some more interviews with you!

Sounds great!

A Conversation with Lukhan Salakaia-Loto

Just like that, the Reds 2020 season is ready for take-off! The Reds first trial match, against the Rebels, is up in Gladstone in 1 week!

And while we all get pumped for the new season, I thought it would be awesome to catch up with one of the Reds stand-out player, Lukhan Salakaia-Loto. My last interview with him for Reds Rugby Rules was back in 2017, during the Reds visit to Samoa! Since then, a lot has happened for Lukhan. He's played some amazing rugby, but for sure, the best is yet to come!

I hope you enjoy reading our conversation as much as I enjoyed talking to him!

Happy 2020! It’s been a while since we officially caught up for Reds Rugby Rules. It’s a new year and new decade! How are you feeling about it all?

Yeah, I’m feeling good! A new decade. Hopefully it’ll be a better 10 years than the previous ones… it’s good to get a fresh start. I’m looking forward to kicking things off things well with the Reds, but most of my focus is off-field. Just continuing to grow as a person, as a man, do things for my family. If I can get that stuff all right, for me, when I’m good off the field, it transfers on to the field.

Since our last interview, you’ve played a lot of rugby and you’ve played at the highest level, even in a World Cup! What was a highlight of your time in Japan last year?

Yeah. Last time we spoke like this, it was, if I recall correctly, a day before I got selected for the Wallabies squad. That was almost 3 years ago now! It’s a privilege to represent your country, especially for my family to see that, representing us and our last name. And like you said, it was an awesome experience in Japan, especially at a young age. I’m pretty lucky, because I’ve still got a long way to go in my career.

The highlight was probably being a part of the quarter-final. It was the biggest game I’ve been a part of so far. Just getting experience and growing as a player, surrounding myself with the best players in the world, from more than one country… Looking back now, I know what I need to do, in order to be considered, you know, pretty good in the world.

Can you highlight a Reds and a Wallabies game that have been particularly memorable from the last few years?

Hmmm. Yep, I’ve got a few. I think the year we had our first interview, about 3 months after that we played the All Blacks and we beat them up at Suncorp. That was my first time playing them and knocked them off in the third Bledisloe test. That was probably my most memorable game. Another one… actually that Samoa one was a big one, personally for me. I got to play in front of my family that I’d never seen before. So to go home and visit and play in front of them was awesome.

My first start for the Wallabies was a big one… that was 2018 against the Irish, down in Sydney. Probably one of the best games I’ve ever had.

There’s been a fair few memorable games! One more was playing Samoa, down in Sydney. Playing the country where my family is from, was a very big thing for me! I had 20 family members there with me (and that wasn’t even half my family). That was a very big thing for me.

It must be nice being back at Ballymore and settling into training back home in Brisbane?

Yeah it’s good. We spent a lot of time away in Japan which was good, but you know being away from family and your familiar surroundings can be a bit hard. So, it was good. Good to be back at Ballymore. Young squad, new faces. Coming back with a bit more experience, a bit more to share, bit more to offer around the place and also be back here and get good training under my belt and just continue to grow. So yeah, I love being at Ballymore, hence why I signed for three more years. I always love being back here.

What do you like and dislike the most about preseason training?

Yeah. I dislike the fitness. It’s always hard, I don’t think anyone likes it. (Laughs) What I like about it… the opportunity to get better. As players, we use pre-season to add to our arsenal, add a few more skills… and also just spending time with the boys, creating new friendships and building on older relationships.

It’s a fresh start, where we can dump what happened last year and focus on a new opportunity. We’re doing everything we can to do better and hopefully make everyone proud.

Lukhan with Reds team-mate James O'Connor

Before the Christmas break, you and James traveled up to Townsville for a “Reds to Regions” visit. What did you guys get up to and what was the highlight from the trip?

Yeah it was good. It was my first time up there, it’s a lot hotter up there. We spent some time with our billets, a few families and got an insight into what their life is like, day in, day out.

We just mingled with lots of kids. It was just a good experience overall! It was humbling. It’s a good initiative by the people who put it in place, hopefully it’s one of many more things to come.

These days, what you like to do with your free time, away from rugby?

These days, most of my free time is spent chilling with my siblings. I’ve got a few dogs at home, they use a fair bit of my free time too. Whenever I have the opportunity, I like to go down to the beach, I listen to a lot of music, play playstation, put the feet up, nothing too stressful. Overall, I love to spend time with the family, that’s the thing I love to do the most.

For our last interview, we were in your home country of Samoa. Have you been back to Samoa since then?

No, I haven’t been since. But I’m planning to go sooner, rather than later, with all my family. I enjoyed it, it was probably the most memorable highlights of my life, going back and seeing where my family stemmed from, going back a few generations. It was a humbling experience. It made me grateful for the job that I have and the life that I have. You see what your families done back then to support us now and put us in a better position, you know, to live a good life. Hopefully I can go back and give back to my family and go back with my nana.

Thanks heaps for your taking time to chat today Lukhan. It’s always a pleasure!

All good Tom! Thanks for having me. It’s always good to see you around here!

I’m cheering you on big time in 2020. Go Reds!!!

Thanks mate.

2019 and Beyond: A "Super" Conversation with Lori Cramer

2019 has been an awesome year for Lori Cramer. She helped lead the Queensland Womens XV team to the Super W grand final, then went on to represent Australia in all four Wallaroos fixtures. To top it off, she captained the team that won the Aon Sevens series (UQ).

The Queensland Reds are now hard at work doing pre-season training (both the mens and the womens teams). Right after her on-field training session at Ballymore, I caught with Lori to catch up on the year that’s been and ask about 2020!

This is my second interview with Lori, you can check out the first here. 

I hope you’re just as excited aabout Super W coming up as I am!

Hey Lori,

Thanks for taking time to catch up! How’d training go tonight? 

Training was pretty good tonight. The bigger squad just got cut, so we’re just getting down to the pointy end, so everyone’s obviously working hard and trying to get into the team. So yeah. Training was good, but people are still fighting for those last few positions.

What have you and the team been working on in particular?

Just the basics for now, because we’ve got a bit of a new group together. We’re just working on our shape, trying to get some structure. Nothing too specific, just general sort of stuff, skills, ball security, that sort of stuff.

It’s been a great year for you personally and also for women’s rugby in general. What’s been the main highlight of your playing career this year?

Probably my second [Wallaroos] test down in Sydney, when I had to take that first kick, the first penalty. I hadn’t scored any points yet, because I stuffed up all of my kicks in the game before. That was my one job... but the second game, I got the start, I had a bit of a pep-talk... so yeah probably making that first kick. I was so nervous, but I got it.

Where were you when you heard the news that you’d made the Wallaroos squad?

I’m pretty sure I was at home. At the time, my grandma was really sick in hospital, so I drove straight to the hospital and told her that I’d made the squad and that I was going to camp, so that was pretty cool.

What’s been the greatest thing about being a Wallaroo this year?

Probably having those moments when you see a lot of people wearing Wallaroos stuff, as opposed to like, the Wallabies, or just a random yellow shirt. So seeing a lot of young girls wearing our gear and you know, knowing your name, that was a bit of a highlight.

We may or may not be wearing kicking tees in this picture, and no it wasn't my idea

Congrats to you and the Uni squad on the Aon Sevens series win in September! How did you feel after the competition was over?

Thank you! How did I feel? I was pretty tired to be honest. (Laughs). Nah it was unreal. That was my first Sevens series in Australia. I’ve always been in Japan playing Sevens, so that fact that we won it was crazy, the fact that I was captain was crazy, it was all really cool. I loved it and I can’t wait to be a part of it next year as well.

You know, going from 15s to 7s is always a bit of a shock at the first training... your looking at the ruck and you’re counting players and you realise you have to run again... but yeah...it’s good fun.

I’m already pretty excited that Super W is coming up next year! What would your message to Queensland rugby supporters be, ahead of the 2020 season?

Hmmm... my message. Get around us at our games! I know it actually makes a huge difference having a bit of a crowd around us at our games. We’re building and there’s some special things happening here. So yeah my message would be get around rugby. As a rugby community, at a grassroots level and a state level and an international level, when we have games at Ballymore, or elsewhere, or at Suncorp, just get around to the games. Yeah!

Awesome. I can’t wait until kick off. Thanks again for taking time to catch up!

Any time Tom! Thank you!

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Everything’s All Good with Alana Elisaia

It’s been a big year for women’s rugby in Australia. Super W has taken off once again and the Wallaroo’s have had some awesome games, in Australia as well as New Zealand.

And in amongst it all, one of the rising stars in the sport is Alana Elisaia! After a stellar season with the Queensland Women’s XV (soon to be rebranded the Women’s Reds), she was selected and capped as a Wallaroo! The year has been almost non-stop for her, with the Aon Uni Sevens series and now the Australian Development Squad tour taking place in Fiji in just over a week. In the midst of it all, it seems like her dads advice that she shared in our last interview has been steering her well!

A big thanks to Alana for taking time to chat. Even after time spent on the world stage, she is still humble and as nice as ever to talk to. It looks like she has a great career ahead of her!

Hey Alana, great to catch up again. 2019 has been big for you! How would you sum up the year so far, in a few words?

Exciting and full on. Super W was really fun and then getting into the Wallaroos was pretty unexpected, but was really cool.

How are you feeling after the AON Sevens round in Canberra the other week?

Um… relieved that it’s over! (Laughs) no… Sevens is always hard. But I’m feeling good. Gutted that we didn’t take it out, but we played a really good tournament. So, content really.

On your Instagram page, you said that you are “proud, regardless.” Does that sum up how you feel about your teams Super W season earlier this year?

Yep. I think, regardless of our score in the grand final. We were such a tight knit team that we became a family. So we left everything out on the field and there was nothing else that we can do. And the score didn’t reflect on our team.

I was really proud of the whole team. I’m looking forward to next years Super W season already!

Me too actually! We just started pre-season. It’s cool to see there’s a lot of new faces.

Can you tell me more about what it was like playing with the Wallaroos this year?

Um... I didn’t find it as nerve racking as what I thought it would be. I thought it would be really overwhelming. But the group of girls that I went with were really supportive it and made it so much easier. Especially playing at Eden Park, I thought that would be scary. But it was exciting I guess.

During our last interview, you said your Dads advice to “relax and have fun” was really helpful. Did that advice still apply while playing for the Wallaroos?

Yep. I think I had to. Because if I got too worked up, I would have just crumbled. But I just took each stride at a time and had heaps of fun. Whatever time I had on the field, I just did what I could and enjoyed it. Because it doesn’t come very often.

What was your number 1 highlight from your experience playing with the Wallaroos this year?

Um.. Definitely getting to put on the green and gold jersey. And then getting to play was even more special I guess.

What will the next few months look like?

So we’ve started pre-season for Super W and we’ve got the Aussie development tour so I’m still training for that. That kind of overlapped with Aon and then Aon overlapped with Wallaroo’s and then Wallaroo’s overlapped with Super W… we’ll get a break during Christmas for like a week… so full on.

What would your message be to Queensland Rugby fans, ahead of next years Super W season?

I think it would be nice to have people get around the girls a lot more. We had a lot of support last year, but I think next year will be a big year considering we got rebranded as just “Reds”. So we’re one big family now. Hopefully we’ll get more people around us!

Thanks Alana for taking time out to chat!

That’s ok! Thank you for having me!