Waratahs schoolgirl Millie Parker latest teenager to make Super Rugby W debut, rugby news

It was the best week of her life, but teenage Waratahs rugby gun Millie Parker spent a fair bit of it in tears as she made a very special debut.

Millie Parker is the latest teenager to make her debut. Picture: Supplied.:

It was the best week of her life, but teenage rugby gun Millie Parker spent a fair bit of it in tears - and it had nothing to do with the NSW Waratahs shock first-up Super Rugby W loss.

Parker spent last season waiting anxiously each week for a phone call from the coach to see if she was finally to make a Super Rugby debut.

This year it happened in the first week of the women’s competition and ahead of their grand final rematch with Fiji Drua.

Park said despite the loss in the Sydney game, making her debut with Waratahs was special.

“I woke up on Tuesday and I was thinking to myself, this is going to be a really good day for me or a sad day,’’ she said.

When the phone rang, I answered it and the coach told me I was starting And I just started crying.

“There was so much emotion because last year I was obviously in the squad, but I never got picked to play.

“So I went through that devastation a lot last year every week.

“So I was just preparing myself for that to happen again but it didn’t.”

Millie Parker has also played schools sevens rugby. Picture: John Appleyard

Parker said there were more tears after the game after she had spotted her family and friends in the crowd earlier.

“I saw everyone and I just burst into tears,’’ she said.

“It’s just so emotional because you work so hard for it and I’m young and my family still has a massive, massive impact on everything I do.

“I’ve got my P’s now but until recently they would drive me to training backwards and forwards, review games with me mum feeding me the right food. They’ve been a big part of the journey.’’

Dejected Waratah players after the shock loss to Fijian Drua.

Parker, part of a rugby league program at Central Coast sports College, is just 17 but in good company at the Waratahs who have five teenagers in their top squad.

“I kind of love rugby League as well but I’ve struck it with union at the moment. it’s amazing,“ Parker said. “It’s crazy. I just love playing.

“Rugby office some great opportunities, you get to travel and tour and hopefully one day I make the Australian squad and I’m able to travel the world with rugby.’’

Parker, not named to play against Force this weekend after the return of n numerous senior players, plays back row in rugby league but is hooker for the Waratahs.

The Waratahs women play Western Force at Allianz stadium on Saturday.

Prior to this the Waratahs U20s will take on a Force youth side in a trial game at Daceyville at 1.30pm.

WARATAHS TEAM FOR ROUND TWO OF SUPER RUGBY W:

1. Siusiuosalafai Volkman, 2. Britt Merlo, 3. Bridie O’Gorman, 4. Kaitlan Leaney, 5. Annabelle Codey, 6. Leilani Nathan, 7. Emily Chancellor (vc), 8. Piper Duck (c), 9. Tatum Bird, 10. Arabella McKenzie, 11. Desiree Miller, 12. Katrina Barker, 13. Georgina Friedrichs, 14. Maya Stewart, 15. Waiaria Ellis. Reserves: 16. Adiana Talakai, 17. Emily Robinson, 18. Faliki Pohiva, 19. Tahlia Morgan, 20. Ruby Anderson, 21. Tiarne Cavanagh, 22. Nicole Nathan, 23. Amelia Whitaker

More from AMANDA LULHAM HERE

Originally published as Waratahs schoolgirl Millie Parker latest teenager to make Super Rugby W debut, rugby news