First there was the jubilation of skipping ice baths. Then the shock of seeing a teammate on the ground. Then the heartbreak of watching a historic Wallaroos chance disappear in an instant.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
Wallaroos vice-captain and star centre Sarah Riordan has been ruled out of a Bledisloe Cup double-header against New Zealand at ANZ Stadium on Saturday night after a cruel injury twist at training in Canberra.
But coach Dwayne Nester has urged the players to rally for their clash against the world champions and use Riordan's situation as extra motivation for their first home Test in 10 years.
Riordan, a truck driver for the Australian Defence Force, was left gutted when a freak post-training bit of fun left her needing to be helped from the field.
The Wallaroos were finishing one of their last sessions in the capital on Wednesday when the players and coaches agreed to a crossbar challenge-deal to avoid ice baths in chilly conditions.
The deal was simple: six players get a chance to hit the crossbar from 22 metres out. If anyone nails the shot, the entire squad stays warm.
Scrumhalf Georgia Cormick stepped up, the ball cannoned into the crossbar and the celebrations started.
"And then Sarah just rolled her ankle. No one's fault, just unlucky," Nester said.
"We usually finish the session with a bit of fun or something skill-related. It came down to Georgia, she was the sixth one and she hit the crossbar.
"We were talking to Sarah after, she didn't even land on someone else's foot. She just landed awkwardly. It couldn't have happened walking down the hill [to the training field].
"But the thing is, what I saw was a group of girls who have come together so well and they were celebrating. The power of that, and this group moving forward, far outweighs any risk or anything like that.
"You could roll your ankle or get poked in the eye or have an obscure accident. But the value that lies in seeing that team bonding is amazing."
The Wallaroos will move their base to Sydney on Thursday to link up with the Wallabies and begin preparations for the biggest game in almost every player's career.
Riordan, who made her international debut against New Zealand two years ago, was set to start at outside centre and be used as a midfield weapon against the Black Ferns.
Her absence, however, opens the door for NSW rookie Crystal Maguire to make her debut on the big stage.
"Your heart sinks [for Riordan] because she's developed so much as a player and a person in the past 12 months," Nester said.
"She came into this camp and felt like a more experienced player. It's disappointing to not be able to run out on Saturday night, but that creates an opportunity for Crystal McGuire, who brings something special as well."
New Zealand won the women's World Cup last year, but the Wallaroos are buoyed by the success of this year's inaugural Super W competition. Nester has 13 rookies in his squad.
"Sarah won't be feeling sorry for herself, she'll be pumping everyone up," Nester said.
"The girls have exceeded my expectations this week. They've blown me away with the work they've done."
BLEDISLOE CUP DOUBLE HEADER
August 18: Wallaroos v Black Ferns at 5pm; Wallabies v All Blacks 8.05pm. Both games at ANZ Stadium.
