Waratahs Super W and rugby rookie Jacinta Windsor named for Super W debut

This young gun’s dedication to rugby - involving travelling around 30 hours a week just to train with the NSW Waratahs - has been rewarded with a Super W debut on the cards

Jacinta Windsor only picked up rugby two years ago.

Dedication to the cause - and long hours on the highway between Sydney and her home in Bathurst - has paid dividends for young gun Jacinta Windsor.

After sending out nine debutants in their opening match of the season against Western Force, the Waratahs will have three players potentially make their debut this weekend and Windsor is one of them.

Brittany Merlo is likely to make her debut at hooker with Claudia Meltzer also expected to run on for the first time.

The Waratahs take on the Brumbies in their second game of the season on Saturday.

Rugby newcomer Jacinta Windsor. Picture: Supplied

The team for the match against the Brumbies is: 1. Brianna Hoy – 3 caps, 2. Katalina Amosa – 1 cap, 3. Bridie O’Gorman – 15 caps, 4. Leilani Nathan – 1 cap, 5. Rosie Ebbage – 1 cap, 6. Grace Hamilton - 24 caps, 7. Fi Jones - 15 caps, 8. Piper Duck – 12 caps, 9. Layne Morgan - 14 caps, 10. Ella Ryan - 1 cap, 11. Desiree Miller – 1 cap, 12. Katrina Barker – 21 caps, 13. Georgina Friedrichs – 13 caps, 14. Maya Stewart – 13 caps, 15. Caitlyn Halse – 1 cap, 16. Brittany Merlo – Debut, 17. Emily Robinson - 21 caps, 18. Eva Karpani – 14 caps, 19. Ana-Lise Sio – 13 caps, 20. Bronte Wilson – 1 cap, 21. Tatum Bird – 5 caps, 22. Claudia Meltzer – Debut, 23. Jacinta Windsor – Debut

EARLIER: Sport takes commitment but 30 plus hours of travelling back and forth just to train is going above and beyond.

That’s what young Bathurst rugby player Jacinta Windsor has been doing as she presses for a spot in the Waratahs Super W side ahead of their season opener against Fijiana on March 24.

The 21-year played rugby XV’s for the first time just two years ago but has found herself on a fast track - and the roads and freeways between her home in Bathurst and the Waratahs training facility at Daceyville - to success.

“I was going down and coming back on the same day at one stage, it was pretty exhausting,’’ said Windsor, who is studying physiotherapy and now looking to transfer to Sydney to reduce her travel time.

Rugby newcomer Jacinta Windsor. Picture: Supplied

“To be honest, I was shocked to make the first squad. Now the dream is to make a debut.”

Windsor, from West Wyalong before her move to Bathurst, spent most of her childhood competing at athletics meets but after completing school decided she wanted to try a team sport.

“I actually wanted to go to the Olympics as a sprinter but it all got too much,” she said.

“I saw on my friends Instagram there was a trial at the Bathurst Bulldogs and I went along.

“I didn’t know the rules, I just dived straight in. I tried to go online and learn but I’m a practical learner and the girls all helped me out.

“I was always worried about where I should be because I didn’t understand the game. But I loved it.’’

Windsor said even she is shocked at how far she has come since her first match.

Jacinta Windsor was a gun runner in her youth but wanted to try a team sport.

“It’s been pretty wild. I ended up getting asked to go to Central West championships at Tamworth when they had quite a few people injured and I got to play some minutes which was so much fun,’’ she said.

“I then got picked for Country but it was a Covid year. Then last year I went away with Central West and played in Adelaide and then got a call asking me to do some development work with Jack Scott players.

“From there I got picked in a pre-season squad with Waratahs and here I am. It all kind of happened really fast.’’

Windsor said her long term goal is to play for the Wallaroos.

“I just want to always do my best in sport,’’ she said.

“I love the physicality, it’s what I really love. But those Super W girls, wow, they can really hit hard.’’

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