McKenzie to make first run-on appearance for Tahs women

Bella McKenzie will make her first starting appearance for the Waratahs women in the town where she was born, Bathurst, when the defending Super W champs host the Rebels

Bella McKenzie on the burst for NSW. Photo: Rugby AU Media/Stuart Walmsley

Bella McKenzie is living proof that while you can take the girl from the country, you can never take the country out of the girl.

Now living in Sydney while studying at the Australian College of Physical Education, McKenzie is going back to her country roots this weekend for her first run-on appearance for the Waratahs women after three impressive performances off the bench.

As fate would have it, not only is Sunday’s match against the Melbourne Rebels taking place in the bush as part of the Waratahs’ push to promote the game outside the big smoke, that will include a skills clinic the day before the match, but it’s happening in the same country town where McKenzie was born, Bathurst.

“I’m a 100 per cent country girl, so this is just awesome,” she told Rugby Central.

“There’s a few country girls in the team so we’re all really excited because women’s rugby is really on the rise and we’re hoping that we can inspire more young women to take up the game so it’ll be cool.”

Bella McKenzie on the burst for NSW. Photo: Rugby AU Media/Stuart Walmsley

Although she was born in Bathurst and her grandparents own two pubs in the Central West town, McKenzie was raised in Lightning Ridge and went to boarding school in the Southern Highlands, where her love of rugby union was fostered.

She had played rugby league as a young kid but it was only in high school that she switched codes, initially to sevens, where she won a gold medal with the Australian team at the 2017 Youth Commonwealth Games in the Bahamas.

She was invited to join the Waratahs’ shadow squad for last year’s inaugural Super W season and was rewarded with a full-time spot this year in a squad overflowing with Wallaroos.

The 20-year-old came on as reserve in the first three matches, including the last 15 minutes against the Reds when her team was under the pump, but coped with the pressure like a seasoned professional.

Ash Hewson has inspired Bella McKenzie. Picture: AAP Image/Dean Lewin

She has been promoted to the starting line-up at inside centre against the Rebels, where the undefeated Waratahs can lock up a home grand final with a win.

“It’s just been amazing to be a part of the Super W environment because I’ve learn to so much from the girls in the squad especially players like Ash Hewson,” McKenzie said.

“Ash has such a great knowledge of the game so has been helping out with all sort of things, like such as running lines, what the defender does and when to kick in play, even just simple catch and pass stuff.

“I was pretty nervous sitting on the bench in that game against the Reds and I wasn’t even sure if I was going to get on but I’m glad I did because it gave me more exposure in a high pressure situation and it‘s good to know that I can step into those situations and be trusted to get the job done.”