Sharni Williams

Royals and ACT Representative centre Sharni Williams has been selected in her first Australian Wallaroos squad to play New Zealand’s Black Ferns in a two-Test series in Canberra in October. Williams, who helped Royals to back-to-back women’s premierships this season, was selected alongside ACT and club team mate Lindsay Morgan while Kim Wilson was selected in the shadow squad. Williams’ achievement is even greater considering she only began playing rugby less than two years ago. Brumby Jack caught up with Williams to discuss her national selection.

Brumby Jack: How does it feel to be part of your first Wallaroos squad?
Sharni Williams: It’s pretty amazing. When I got the phone call it seemed like a bit of a dream, partly because we were all at Mad Monday [after winning the grand final]. I had to get him to give me a call the next day and confirm that I was in the squad. But to be part of the squad is a dream come true.
 
BJ: You’ve been a part of a number of representative squads in various sports, including hockey. How does being part of the Wallaroos compare?
SW: At the moment it feels a bit unreal but when I join the side and run out on the park I’m sure it will hit me. At the moment it feels similar to the other representative sides but there’s still a lot of hard work to do to be part of the side and I’m sure it will begin to sink in later.

BJ: What are you expecting from the clash with the Black Ferns?
SW: We’d obviously like to win both games. Most of the girls from the Sevens side are in the Wallaroos and they’ve just been crowned Oceanic Champions and they beat New Zealand fairly well. I’m sure a lot of the girls who were in that side will be keen to take a lead and I reckon we’ll go alright against them.

BJ: Does it make it easier playing your first Test in Canberra?
SW: Yeah, definitely. I’ll have friends and family here and I’m used to the field which always makes you feel more comfortable.

BJ: Have you been given any indication whether you’ll be starting yet?
SW: Not yet. We have a training session in Narabeen on September 27th and we’ll run through some moves and teams then. I’ve just received a 24-page playbook of moves I have to learn but when you’ve got guys like Lindsay [Morgan] and Willo [Kim Wilson] it makes it a lot easier. We’ve also got Brendan [Allardyce] from the Vikings helping us who we’re really lucky to have and Megan Valler played there last year and she’s been great in giving me a few tips too.