NZ-born Wallaroo discusses ‘nerve-wracking’ build-up to Black Ferns Test

Ask any New Zealander or Australian, and most would agree that there is no better rivalry in international sport than a contest against the neighbouring nation across the ditch.

Whether it’s in rugby union, league, netball, cricket, sailing or even lawn bowls, a clash between the passionate rivals is sure to engage fans – bringing out the very best of what sport means to people.

The highly anticipated clash between Rugby World Cup champions New Zealand and the Wallaroos on Thursday is no different.

Australia raced out to a commanding lead early in their pool play matchup at Eden Park last year, but New Zealand showed their class to record a comfortable win.

But both teams are ushering in a new era. The likes of Australia’s Shannon Perry and New Zealand’s Kendra Cocksedge have retired.

The next generation must step up.

In just her second Test match, playmaker Carys Dallinger will look to steer the Wallaroos to what would be one of their biggest wins in history.

Playing in front of a buzzing crowd at a standalone Test match in Queensland, against the reigning world champions – it doesn’t get much bigger.

Well, it does for Dallinger.

Like many New Zealanders, the playmaker grew up “chasing that black jersey dream.” But Dallinger’s rugby career has taken her across the ditch.

Dallinger will wear Wallaroos gold on Thursday instead of the famous black jersey, and will stand respectfully in front of the haka rather than performing it alongside some of her friends.

“Quite nerve-wracking but also really excited at the same time,” Dallinger told RugbyPass. “There’s a lot of mixed emotions because a lot of them are my friends and I’ve grown up playing with them.

“You’ve got to play the best to be the best so I’m excited for that challenge.

“Just fortunate enough to be picked for the Wallaroos and give this a go… international footy is the goal at the end of the day.”

Dallinger never gave up on her rugby dream – she is only 23 after all – and has gone on to star in Super Rugby Aupiki with the Hurricanes Poua and the Queensland Reds in Australia.

But after losing the Super W to the Fijiana Drua in Townsville, the 23-year-old was set to return to New Zealand – but received a phone call from her manager.

Dallinger’s agent informed the skilful playmaker – who was eligible for New Zealand, Australia and England – that her flights had been put on hold.

After officially being included in the Wallaroos squad, the flyhalf made her international debut against Fiji at Sydney’s Allianz Stadium earlier this year.

Having starred in the No. 10 jersey, Dallinger has held off some tough competition to retain her spot in the starting XV for this week’s crucial trans-Tasman clash.

Dallinger’s rugby career may not have turned out how she expected, but the rising star clearly had no regrets.

“I always just had an inkling that I was going to end up in Aussie.

“You’re sort of tied to New Zealand chasing that black jersey dream, then just a few setbacks and Aussie has been calling my name for a long time.

”I always knew I was going to end up here, I wasn’t sure if it was going to be playing rugby, I just happened to fall into this quite fortunately and here we are riding the wave.”

Dallinger will link up with Layne Morgan in the halves in Redcliffe, and joins a star-studded line-up for the clash.

Western Force lock Michaele Leonard will captain the side for the first time.

The match between the Wallaroos and Black Ferns will get underway at 7.00 pm AEST on Thursday at Kayo Stadium, Redcliffe.