Australian sevens flyer Bienne Terita says it might be three years since she last played a game of XVs rugby, so what better way to end the drought than a Wallaroos Test debut?
The 19-year-old has found a silver lining to her Commonwealth Games selection heartbreak as she prepares to earn her first cap against New Zealand at Adelaide Oval on Saturday.
Terita has been drafted onto the wing while Siokapesi Palu debuts at inside centre as Wallaroos coach Jay Tregonning makes seven changes to the starting XV in a bid to bounce back from a 47-point loss in Christchurch last week.
She had to watch from afar as Australia claimed a gold medal at the Birmingham Commonwealth Games after being overlooked for selection, but now Tregonning’s gamble has opened the door for Terita to potentially play at both sevens and 15-a-side World Cups this year.
“Maybe when I was about 16, maybe two or three years ago now, that would have been the last time I played XVs,” Terita told the Herald.
“I played a little bit of club, not too much though. It wasn’t a huge part of my rugby career, I was more sevens orientated. I played a little bit of club for Randwick for a couple of years and then I transitioned into sevens more permanently.
Australian rugby sevens player Bienne Terita is poised to make her Test debut for the Wallaroos.Credit:Rugby Australia
“The opportunity came up off the back of Comm Games, I wasn’t selected. The opportunity came at the right time. My coaches from sevens spoke to me about it and said Wallaroos were interested, and they thought it was a great opportunity to come over here and have a crack and get some game time. They were very supportive of me coming.
“I touched base with my parents [who are travelling in Europe], they were very stoked for me. They knew how upset and heartbroken I was after Comm Games. For them to see I’m here and doing something else, I think they’re very excited for me and happy to know I’m happy.”
Abrasive Brumbies centre Palu joins the fold after a breakout Super W season in Canberra while Tregonning has overhauled his forward pack for a clash with a side regarded among the favourites to claim this year’s World Cup.
Liz Patu returns at loosehead prop with Bree-Anna Cheatham ruled out through injury, while Adiana Talakai and Eva Karpani have been elevated from the reserves to the starting front row.
Waratahs lock Atasi Lafai will start in the second row alongside Brumbies star Michaela Leonard, while Grace Hamilton earns a recall to the starting XV in the back-row with Grace Kemp ruled out due to a head knock suffered at training.
“After this game I’ll go back to Sydney, we’ll be heading into the sevens World Cup in Cape Town,” Terita said.
“I’d love to come back and give [the Rugby World Cup in New Zealand] a crack, it’s during our sevens annual leave as well, so I think it’ll be good timing. I’m fully contracted to sevens and that’s where my heart is, that’s my priority at the moment.”
Watch the Wallaroos take on New Zealand on the Home of Rugby, Stan Sport, from 12.30pm on Saturday. Then The Rugby Championship continues with Wallabies v South Africa (Saturday 3pm AEST) and New Zealand v Argentina (Saturday 5:45pm AEST). All matches streaming ad-free, live and on demand on Stan Sport.
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