Queensland and Jillaroos greats Steph Hancock and Renae Kunst set for emotional farewell in World Cup final
QUEENSLAND and Jillaroos greats Steph Hancock and Renae Kunst admit they are struggling to control their emotions ahead of their final game together in Australian colours.
Women's sport
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STEPH Hancock is one of the toughest forwards in women’s rugby league, but as she prepares for her last game on Saturday, she admits she’s gone a bit soft.
Hancock and her longtime Queensland and Australian teammate Renae Kunst will bow out on the biggest stage possible, when they meet the Kiwi Ferns in the World Cup final at Suncorp Stadium.
The pair will go down in history as two of the greatest players to ever serve in women’s rugby league but have one last achievement to tick off – retaining the World Cup trophy.
And to be able to do that together is what has Hancock feeling so emotional.
The 35-year-old will be led out by best friend and co-captain Kunst into their last game and it is a moment that she knows she will never forget.
But the Ferns should also not be fooled into thinking that emotion will creep into her game.
“Renae’s being real serious and she’s switched on and focused. I’m being soft and emotional,” Hancock said.
“I even got emotional at the captain’s run. It was the last one ever.
“Running on will just stick with me forever, no matter what the result is.
“We’ll run out behind one another and that will start the emotions. But hopefully it all turns into fiery ones.”
For Kunst, also 35, she is keeping the emotions buried.
She is taking a different approach and trying to treat the match just like any other.
“It hasn’t set in,” she said of her looming retirement.
“But I’ve always treated every game like it’s my last. This really is no different. After the game when you can reflect, there will be a bit more emotion.
“For all of us, it’s about embracing this game and really soaking up the atmosphere. This is history in the making.”
The pair will both start in today’s clash with the Kiwis, Hancock in the front row and Kunst in the back row.
They know better than most how tough the New Zealand side are and were apart of the team that beat the Ferns for the first time in a World Cup in 2013.
“The last few games we’ve played against New Zealand, they’ve been very competitive and tough and close,” she said.
“That’s how I’d like to end my career in the green and gold, definitely.”
Originally published as Queensland and Jillaroos greats Steph Hancock and Renae Kunst set for emotional farewell in World Cup final
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