The Olympic gold medallists versus the reigning world champions – when it comes to women’s rugby 7s it doesn’t get any better.
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Australia and New Zealand will add another chapter to their fierce rivalry when they meet in Bendigo in a five-match series over the next three days.
“They’ll be fast-paced games with high skills and close competition,’’ Aussie star Nicole Beck said.
“We’re number one and two in the world at the moment so it should be a good hit-out.
“We have a huge rivalry. Leading into Rio (Olympics) they (New Zealand) had it over us, but we worked hard and got gold in Rio.
“Since then they (New Zealand) have been back on top of us. It’s going to be a good battle.”
With the Commonwealth Games on the Gold Coast only months away, the Aussies will use the series against the Kiwis in Bendigo as a key stepping stone to the major tournament.
Coach Tim Walsh has promoted six rookies - Mackenzie Sadler, Page McGregor, Katie Harrison, Yasmin Meakes, Olivia White and Lauren Brown – for the Bendigo series.
They’ll be out to prove themselves alongside the Pearls’ established stars, including Sharni Williams, Charlotte Caslick and Beck.
“We’re definitely trialling new players and new combinations and trying to peak for the Commonwealth Games,’’ Beck said.
“But we never like losing, so we’ll be going full throttle.”
This week is Beck’s first series back in the Aussie squad since giving birth to her second child, Harper.
“Harper is six months now and I’m looking forward to getting out there,’’ Beck said.
“I’m getting better (with juggling motherhood and elite sport). It helps that sport is my full-time job.”
The five-match series at Epsom-Huntly Recreation Reserve starts on Thursday night at 6.30pm.
Games two and three are on Friday at 3.30pm and 6.30pm respectively, with games four and five to follow on Saturday at 3.30pm and 6.30pm.
Entry is free for spectators and the Aussie squad would love to see Bendigo sports fans become their “eighth player” this week.
“We’d love to see a big crowd out there… there should be some really good games,’’ Beck said.
The international series highlights a huge four days of rugby 7s in Bendigo.
The Bendigo Goldfields 7s tournament will be played on Saturday and Sunday at Epsom-Huntly Recreation Reserve.
The tournament will see more than 40 men's, women's and junior teams battle for supremacy and a share in $11,000 in prize money.
