Super W: Waratahs skipper says winning back-to-back titles would be peak of career
Ash Hewson thought nothing would top kicking the winning penalty to secure the Waratahs’ inaugural Super W title but now believes beating Queensland again in the decider would eclipse that.
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When Ash Hewson kicked the winning penalty deep into extra-time to clinch last year’s inaugural Super W title for the Waratahs, she was convinced nothing could ever top that feeling.
So the long-time Wallaroo promptly announced her retirement from international rugby, believing she had reached the highest peak and everything else would be downhill after that.
Twelve months on, she’s having second thoughts. Not about returning to Test rugby but whether there’s still one more step to get to the highest summit.
On Sunday, she’ll find out when the Waratahs host the Reds at Leichhardt Oval in Super W grand final II. If the Waratahs win the rematch, not only will they retain their title but will remain undefeated for two seasons.
“That would just be unbelievable,” Hewson told Rugby Central. “That’s been our goal from the start of this season but it’s a hard thing to do.
“For any team in any sport, to go back to back, is just really difficult because there’s just a lot of pressure but I think we’ve done a great job of absorbing all that pressure and that target on our back.”
When the Waratahs’ women got together for pre-season training, they knew they would have to play much better than last year just to stay on top because every team in Super W was improving so fast, but especially Queensland.
The best of friends off the field, their rivalry on the pitch is just as intense as every other interstate battles between blue and maroon. Mate again mate, State against State.
“It’s that whole north v south thing,” Hewson said. “But for us, what makes the rivalry so good is that whenever we play them, the games are always great quality and very close.”
The Waratahs have had the edge so far but it’s razor thin. They won last year’s grand final 16-13 but only after the skipper Hewson calmly booted the deciding penalty after the siren in extra time.
When they played each other last month, to effectively decide hosting rights for Sunday’s decider, the Tahs prevailed 15-12 in another cliffhanger.
At 39, Hewson has nothing left to prove in the game but the fullback is adamant she won’t be hanging up her boots regardless of whether the Waratahs win or lose.
Her 11 years spent working as a prison guard at Long Bay jail has helped make her one of the toughest players in the game because nothing she faces on the field is ever more challenging than her day job dealing with maximum security criminals and inmates undergoing rehabilitation.
“I love my work because it’s really a team environment, which relates back to any sport I’ve played in,” she said.
“In my heart I’d love to play rugby forever but you can’t physically so I just want to do it as long as I can while I’m still enjoying it so I’m definitely not going to be putting my hand to walk away anytime soon.
“Especially now, when women’s sport is really taking off. It’s so great what’s happening and I’m so proud to be a part of it.
“The younger girls that are coming through now are just amazing and they are starting to get the rewards they deserve because I know what commitment it takes and what sacrifices you have to make to be a female athlete.”
Originally published as Super W: Waratahs skipper says winning back-to-back titles would be peak of career
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