National Championship a tough start for Origin selection
WOMEN’S Origin is one month away, but players have some brutal selection games to get through before they can even think about running out on North Sydney Oval on June 22.
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WOMEN’S Origin is one month away, but players have some brutal selection games to get through before they can even think about running out on North Sydney Oval on June 22.
NSW and Queensland teams will be named after next week’s National Championship, which will feature all of the country’s best female league players in a hectic schedule of three games over three days.
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The Championship is made up of six teams — including NSW and Queensland City and Country, plus Defence Force and Affiliated States — playing two pool games each and a playoff on the final day.
NSW captain Ruan Sims will take the field for NSW Country next week and said the schedule is tough, but players must grin and bear it if they want their case for state selection heard.
“It’s also going to be pretty brutal, we’re playing three games over three days, which is unheard of. I thought our schedule for World Cup was tough but this is a bit tougher,” Sims said.
“We’ll show that we can get through the adversity and that we can work hard and turn up for each other and play some good football.
“I think that’s what all the coaches and selectors want to see. The players just want to play well and get through it and have a good shot at playing representative (football) at the next level.”
Nationals start on Friday, June 1 at Southport on the Gold Coast and it will be the first time in her career that Sims represents NSW Country.
Finally able to join her brothers Tariq and Ashton in achieving the honour, Sims plans to lead the side in some first-rate football as all players push for higher honours, including the NRL Premiership in September.
“We want to play the best football we can,” she said.
“I’m extremely proud to be earning my first Country jersey. Tariq has five or six years with the jersey and Ashton has a few under his belt as well.
“If I do the job there, I give myself the best opportunity to be selected in the Sky Blue jersey.
“It’s an opportunity for girls who haven’t been seen at that next level yet to really put their hand up and show they’ve got what it takes to play Origin or in the top 40 or the Premiership and the Jillaroos.
“That’s what these Championships are about as well. It’s about getting those girls in front of scouts for Premiership teams as well as selectors for NSW, Queensland and Jillaroos as well.”