Playing rugby 15s for the first time ever, Warialda’s Rhiannon Byers was shocked but excited to be chosen for the NSW country women’s side last month. She will play her first games in the Southern States Championships in Wagga Wagga this weekend.
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“It’s a little bit overwhelming,” she said. At just 17 years old, Rhiannon will be one of the youngest in the Country Corellas team. The Central North player has represented the New England in the rugby sevens under 17 state side, but this will be her first venture into the 15-a-side women’s competition.
“This is a massive great achievement, and especially NSW country. That’s how I started my footy career,” she said.
She liked the physicality of the 15s game.
“It’s more intense. It’s more adrenaline pumping through your body with 15s,” she said.
“You’re constantly doing something or you’re constantly talking, where sevens, everyone has to do their own thing. You’ve got to back yourself and the other team’s got to back you.”
She said 15s required more thinking ahead.
“Sevens is such a quick game, but 15s is such a long game. You’ve got to try and pick your moments, know when to take it yourself or when to pass the ball,” she said.
Coach Dale Beattie said he thought Rhiannon’s “outstanding” defence made her stand out to selectors in Forster.
“Even though she’s only 17, she’s a very, very hard defender and nobody got past her. Her first game against Hunter, she was matched up against the current Australian Wallaroos centre and I think she outplayed her, to be honest,” he said.
Rhiannon’s Central North teammates, Armidale’s Ellie Fordyce and Ballina’s Shana Povey will join her in the country championships, while Inverell Highlander Sarah Byrne is a reserve for the squad.
“The beauty of the Central North squad that we took away to Forster is that over half the team are under 19, which is a reflection on how strong our junior program has been for a number of years, and we’re now starting to see those juniors such as Rhiannon, Molly Kennedy, Sarah Byrne – they’re coming up now into the women’s program, and playing some really good football,” Dale said.
Rhiannon is looking forward to learning a lot in the country squad.
“I’m hoping to develop more knowledge in the sport. I’m hoping to be able to read the plays better and make my sevens play a lot better,” she said. She felt the 15s would help develop her ball passing skills and ability to choose the right moments to act.
Rhiannon will train with her new team this afternoon before taking on the ACT and Victoria tomorrow.
Naomi Shumack
Born and bred in Inverell, I'm passionate about community journalism. I'm the youngest of five kids, am a book worm and have a ridiculous movie collection. I have a double degree in Communications and International Studies from the University of Wollongong. I write stories for the Inverell Times, Moree Champion and Goondiwindi Argus. You can contact me at naomi.shumack@fairfaxmedia.com.au or on 0438 606 351.
Born and bred in Inverell, I'm passionate about community journalism. I'm the youngest of five kids, am a book worm and have a ridiculous movie collection. I have a double degree in Communications and International Studies from the University of Wollongong. I write stories for the Inverell Times, Moree Champion and Goondiwindi Argus. You can contact me at naomi.shumack@fairfaxmedia.com.au or on 0438 606 351.
