Burleigh Bears utility Tallisha Harden discusses her Jillaroos selection hopes after Coast camp
TIME in camp with the Jillaroos has done nothing to convince Tallisha Harden a second Test cap is looming, with the Burleigh utility keeping her NRL Women’s return at the top of the priority list.
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TIME in camp with the Jillaroos has done nothing to convince Tallisha Harden a second Test cap is looming, with the Burleigh utility keeping her NRL Women’s return at the top of the priority list.
The 26-year-old was one of five Bears in a 25-strong squad that gathered for a Jillaroos camp at RACV Royal Pines Resort over the weekend, just days after Burleigh’s run of four-straight SEQ Women’s premierships was ended by West Brisbane.
The camp kicked off preparations for the World Cup Nines in October before a one-off Test against New Zealand later that month, while a Prime Minister’s XIII will also be chosen for a lone fixture.
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Before then, however, Harden will channel her energy into the Sydney Roosters’ NRL Women’s campaign, having made the switch from reigning premiers Brisbane.
She said while the Jillaroos camp was invaluable as she looks to add to her sole Test appearance against the Kiwi Ferns in 2015, it would mean little when it comes to future representative selections.
“We’re all hoping to be selected for the Test and Nines later in the year but it’s really competitive. Everyone is really pushing for spots,” Harden, who made the transition from prop to halfback in the latter stages of Burleigh’s season, said.
“It’s just (about) hopefully playing good footy over the next couple of months and if selection comes, then great, but if not there will be other opportunities. I’m just here to get more experience and enjoy the camp and learn a few extra things.
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“Everyone in camp is really friendly and it’s good to have a few Burleigh girls around in camp too, having spent the bulk of the year together.
“With the NRL Women’s, I want to get down there and put a good foot forward and make my Roosters debut. That’s the most important goal for me, to have a good NRL Women’s (campaign) with the Roosters.”
With the taste of Burleigh’s grand final defeat still fresh, Harden, who also featured in the Jillaroos’ 2018 Commonwealth Championships side, said the camp had been a welcome distraction.
“It’s a wonderful campaign to be a part of, especially a couple of years out from a World Cup. It’s kind of disappointing with how we ended the season (at Burleigh) but we had such a good run,” she said.
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“Winning four premierships in a row and making five grand finals, it was such a massive achievement for our club. We gave it a really good crack. Obviously I’d love to win another premiership with Burleigh next year.”
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