NSW Super-W championship-winner and Wallaroo hopeful Bella McKenzie didn't get an opportunity to play rugby union until she went away to school in year seven.
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She had been the only girl in a junior rugby league team in Walgett, a small town in north west NSW.
The 20-year-old fly-half is part of the 29 strong Wallaroos squad that will converge in Newcastle next Sunday (July 7) for a training camp in the lead up to the test against Japan at No.2 Sportsground on July 13.
"It's cool now to see all-girl rugby teams playing," said McKenzie, who is in Newcastle this weekend to help promote the test.
The Hunter Juniors are conducting a Wallaroos round and all players will wear green and gold socks.
"It is a great initiative by the Newcastle rugby community and it will be awesome to watch the young girls run around. I didn't have that opportunity. Women's rugby is growing so fast."
McKenzie, who is studying business at Sydney University, has played sevens tournaments in Newcastle before.
"It's awesome for the Wallaroos to play a game here," she said.
"Two of our NSW side, Katrina Barker and Maya Stewart, are from up here and are always talking about Newcastle.
"They speak highly of the competition and how it is growing and becoming really strong.
"For the Wallaroos the hard work obviously starts when we go into camp next Sunday."
The Wallaroos will be training at Townson Oval and host a number of open sessions.
