Age 18 (5 Nov 2000) Born Auckland Club Queensland Country Australia Position Centre
W
hen did you first play
rugby? At 14. There
was a team at school
and I was encouraged
by some friends to start
playing. Before that I played netball and
OzTag (non-contact rugby league).
What do you enjoy most? Defence
and tackling! I love the physicality
and working hard to outdo whoever
is running at you. I think defensively
I’m sound. We’re told that defence is
90% attitude and I’m pretty
good with my mindset.
Who were your childhood
heroes? My parents. They
have always been there
for me and my family.
They’re so supportive.
How much does it help
having Will Skelton as
your uncle? Uncle Will is
awesome. He sent me a
good-luck video message
before the Super W final
against NSW, so it’s great
to know I have his support.
Who has been the biggest
influence on your career?
My coaching mentors –
Lachlan Parkinson, the
Reds high performance
and Aussie Youth Sevens
coach, and Moana Virtue,
my Queensland Reds
Super W and Sunnybank
coach. They have helped
me develop my game
mentally and physically,
and encourage me to
push beyond my limits.
How do you find playing
senior rugby for the Reds
Super W team? We weredisappointed we couldn’t defeat NSW
but have really closed the gap on them.
The standard of the competition is really
strong and makes me hungrier for more.
What are your goals with regards to
Australia honours? I’m currently on a
development contract with the Aussie
Women’s Sevens and I’m in the
Wallaroos extended squad.
There are three home Tests this year,
which is pretty exciting. At the moment
I’m just focusing on our training and
trying to make the squad
that will play Japan in July.
Do you prefer sevens or 15s?
Can I say both? I love playing
in both comps and love them
for different reasons.
What do you want to achieve
in the next 12 months? I’m
just enjoying it at the moment
and not trying to get too
ahead of myself. This is a big
year for the Wallaroos with
the most home Tests for the
team ever, plus there is an
Olympics next year and I’m
keeping my eye on that.RW VERDICT
The teenager put her
aspirations of being a
police officer on hold
to focus on rugby. And
it’s paying off as she’s
making waves Down
Under. Expect her to
play in the Wallaroos’
Tests against Japan,
as well as push for
a place in the sevens
squad for Tokyo 2020.1
ALYSIA
LEFAU-FAKAOSILEA
Front Row
RISING STARS
Interviews Sarah Mockford // Pictures Getty Images