Jillaroos make big impact in NSW side to take on Queensland in women’s Interstate Challenge
JILLAROO Allana Ferguson will ‘bleed blue’ to help NSW end Queensland’s long reign in the Interstate rugby league challenge.
Women's sport
Don't miss out on the headlines from Women's sport. Followed categories will be added to My News.
- AFL may be in netballer’s future
- Robbed Paralympian happy to return to Rio
- Netball finals: Ultimate guide
- Former Diamond ready to rock
- Opals plan to mine gold in Rio
JILLAROO Allana Ferguson said she and her teammates are ready to “bleed blue’’ as they bid to end the extraordinary winning run of Queensland in the women’s rugby league Interstate Challenge this weekend.
The NSW side to take on Queenland in the women’s State of Origin is bulging with some of the sports best footballers and Ferguson believes for the first time they are in with a real shot at beating their southern rivals.
“This year we have the confidence of months of an extended squad training,’’ said Ferguson, one of nine Jillaroos playing for the Blues.
“We all know what we have to do. We all know our jobs.’’
The 2016 Women’s Interstate Challenge for the Nellie Doherty Cup will be played at 3pm Saturday at CBUS Super Stadium as part of a triple-header, also including the Holden Cup and NRL clashes between the Gold Coast Titans and Parramatta Eels..
Queensland had won the trophy 16 consecutive times until 2014, before retaining it with a 4-4 draw last year.
“It will be a huge battle. It’s won’t be a flogging either way,’’ Ferguson said.
“But we will bleed blue for the full 80 minutes out there.’’
2016 NSW Women’s SOO Team
Samantha Bremner (Cronulla-Caringbah), Isabelle Kelly (Berkeley Vale), Corban McGregor (Cronulla-Caringbah), Caitlin Moran (Hunter Stars), Nakia Davis-Welsh (Redfern All-Blacks), Allana Ferguson (Cronulla-Caringbah), Maddie Studdon (Cronulla-Caringbah), Ruan Sims (Cronulla-Caringbah), Rebecca Riley (Redfern All-Blacks), Elianna Walton (Greenacre), Kezie Apps (Helensburgh), Vanessa Foliaki (Mounties), Simaima Taufa (Mounties), Lavina Phillips (Redfern All-Blacks), Jennifer Latu (Cronulla-Caringbah), Jasmin Allende (Redfern All-Blacks), Rebecca Young (Hunter Stars), Ruby Ewe (Cronulla-Caringbah). Ben Cross Head Coach
Matildas loss rugby’s gain as teens help Aussies end long Sevens drought
Grit, a fighting spirit and a pair of young guns - including one that was touted as a future Matilda - have helped Australia end a seven-year-long drought in rugby sevens.
NRLW gun Keeley Davis keeping close tabs on future teammates – and rivals
She is one of the pioneers of NRLW but now this rugby league talent is playing a hand in the development of her future teammates - and potential rivals.