From Black Ferns battle to altar for Wallaroo Bree-Anna Cheatham then honeymoon with teammates

All brides want to spend quality time with friends just before their big day but this is epic - pulling on an Aussie jersey to hang out with mates in the Wallaroos front row 48 hours before.

The Wallaroo goes from her game straight into last minute wedding preparations

Australian rugby gun Bree-Anna Cheatham won’t be holding anything in the Wallaroos battle against the Black Ferns because she has a wedding to attend less than 48 hours later. Not even when it’s her own big day.

Cheatham said she is prepared to be flaunting a bruise or two - hopefully not a black eye - if that’s what it takes to represent Australia at her best against New Zealand on Thursday.

“I won’ be holding anything back. I’ll be giving it 100 per cent,’’ said the forward named to take on the Black Ferns at the start of the Wallaroos quest for both the Pacific Four Series and the O’Reilly Cup at Dolphin Stadium in Moreton Bay on Thursday

“I have to play 100 per cent. Whatever happens, happens. I have a good make-up artist booked. But I’ve made the joke to the girls to leave my face alone in training.’’

It will be a week to remember for assorted reasons for Cheatham.

“I get married on July 1 and we play on the 29th. The other (Wallaroos) girls fly out to Canada on the 30th and I stay to get married. I then fly over to them on July 2nd for my honeymoon,’’ she said.

That’s a honeymoon minus a very understanding soon-to-be husband Craig Brown, 29.

Bree-Anna Cheatham tackled during a Super W match back in 2019 when playing for the Melbourne Rebels.

“I’m going on my honeymoon with a team of women,’’ said Cheatham, born in Toowoomba, based in Brisbane and who played her junior footy with Wests Bulldogs.

“It's a bit quirky but I am just happy I can do both. To do both is a dream, it’s an absolute privilege.

“This is going to be the biggest week of my life.’’

NSW Waratah and Australian captain Piper Duck is sidelined with injury with lock Michaela Leonard the stand-in to captain her first Test.

The Wallaroos will be bolstered by the return of Katilan Leaney, Emily Chancellor and Arabella McKenzie who have playing overseas.

Cheatham, from the Queensland Reds, joins Waratahs gun Eva Karpani in the front row with Leonard and Annabelle Codey the starting locks and former captain Grace Hamilton at the back of the scrum.

Leaney will start as blindside flanker with Ashley Marsters switching to open side and Chancellor and McKenzie coming off the bench. Tania Naden is in to replace injured hooker Adiana Talakai.

Teen fullback Faitala Moleka, who has one game under her belt will also run on with Carys Dallinger, Chancellor, McKenzie and Madison Schuck on the bench.

The wallaroo goes straight form the game into last minute wedding preparations

WALLAROOS TEAM FOR TEST MATCH V BLACK FERNS

1. Bree-Anna Cheatham, 26, Queensland Reds 2 caps, 2. Tania Naden, 31, ACT Brumbies, 3 caps, 3. Eva Karpani, 27, NSW Waratahs, 14 caps, 4. Michaela Leonard, 28, Western Force, 15 caps (C), 5. Annabelle Codey, 26, Queensland Reds, 3 caps, 6. Kaitlan Leaney, 22, TBA, 8 caps, 6. Ashley Marsters, 29, Melbourne Rebels, 20 caps, 8. Grace Hamilton, 31, NSW Waratahs, 26 caps, 9. Layne Morgan, 24, NSW Waratahs, 12 caps, 10. Carys Dallinger, 23, Queensland Reds, 1 cap, 11. Ivania Wong, 25, Queensland Reds, 8 caps, 12. Cecilia Smith, 29, Queensland Reds, 6 caps, 13. Georgina Friedrichs, 28, NSW Waratahs, 12 caps (VC), 14. Maya Stewart, 23, NSW Waratahs, 2 caps, 15. Faitala Moleka, 18, ACT Brumbies 1 cap. RESERVES: 16. Madison Schuck, 31, Queensland Reds, 5 caps 17. Emily Robinson, 30, NSW Waratahs, 19 caps, 18. Bridie O’Gorman, 24, NSW Waratahs, 12 caps, 19. Sera Naiqama, 27, NSW Waratahs, 7 caps 20. Emily Chancellor, 31, TBA, 16 caps, 21. Jasmin Huriwai, 29, ACT Brumbies, 1 cap 22. Arabella McKenzie, 24, TBA, 15 caps 23. Alana Elisaia, 29, Queensland Reds, 2 caps.

BUILDCORP WALLAROOS 2023 FIXTURES

June 29: Wallaroos v Black Ferns, Dolphin Stadium, Moreton Bay (First O’Reilly Cup Match, Pacific Four Series)

July 9: Wallaroos v USA, TD Place, Ottawa (Pacific Four Series)

July 15: Wallaroos v Canada, TD Place, Ottawa (Pacific Four Series)

September 30 Wallaroos v Black Ferns, FMG Stadium, Waikato (Second O’Reilly Cup Match)