HUNTER women’s representative team will get a taste of international rugby when they take on Fiji at No.2 Sportsground next month.
The Fijian team, known as Fijiana, are partaking in a development tour and will spend four days in the Hunter.
The match against the Hunter women on June 16 will be played under lights after the men’s grand-final replay between premiers Hamilton and Wanderers.
Hunter are the reigning Country champions and this week had nine players – Annika Jamieson, Bobbi Law, Emma Bradford, Jessica Church, Leilani Nathan, Lupe Ngatuvai, Maya Stewart, Nicole Nathan, Synetta Manns – named in the Country merit side.
The Hawthorne Club and Hunter Women’s Rugby are hosting the Fijians during their stay.
“Fijiana will train at No.2 Sportsground, and a number of activities have been planned to welcome the team to Newcastle, including a Women in Sport Breakfast at the Harbour View Function Centre,” Hawthorne Club chairman Mark Queenan said.
President Nicola Roche said the Hunter Women were putting together a “strong team” which will be coached by Gerry Mason and assisted by former Wallaroo Tobie McGann.
Promising Newcastle referee, Nik Gaal, will officiate the match with Xavier Edwards and Declan Meagher as touch judges.
The last women’s played international in Newcastle was a test between England and the Wallaroos in 2001.
