Shania helps Meg on road to the top
THE tunes of Shania Twain have played a big part in preparing Jillaroos debutant Meg Ward for her World Cup campaign.
For the past six months, the rugby union convert has been driving three hours from Katherine to Darwin – and another three hours back – just to play rugby league.
Shania Twain was her companion for each game and wearing the green and gold was her motivation.
The talented winger, who grew up in Brisbane, only started playing league in June after watching the Jillaroos take on the Kiwi Ferns in the May Anzac Test.
Based in Katherine through her work as a firefighter in the air force, Ward quickly signed up for the Darwin competition.
Today, she will make her official Test debut.
“For me, league is everything now,” she said.
“I played union for four years so coming across wasn’t that difficult because they’re kind of similar games.
“But I started (league) this year and it’s still all very new to me ... It was just after the May Test that I called up the competition in Darwin and told them I was looking to play league. It’s a three-hour drive (from Katherine).
“I’m not a very good singer but because I’m by myself it’s not too bad. Me and Shania Twain get along pretty well.
“It’s a long drive but it’s worth it. When you love a sport this much, a three-hour drive isn’t that much.”
Ward’s rise through the game has been an absolute whirlwind after she was first spotted by Jillaroos coach Brad Donald while representing the Northern Territory in the Affiliated States Championship in late June. He called her into the Australian squad and it was her performance in September against PNG that helped seal her place in the 24woman World Cup squad.
The 23-year-old said it had been a blur but made her love for league grow at a rapid pace.
“I can’t really explain it,” she said ahead of her debut.
“I still pinch myself every single morning when I wake up. Having only started this year, I was fortunate to be picked up by Brad.
“It just took off from there. I went away to one (Jillaroos) camp.
“I didn’t really think anything would come of that but then I got the call-up for PNG and called up to the World Cup. It’s unbelievable.”
Australia ($1.50) are the firm favourites to win the World Cup with UBET, while New Zealand ($2.60) appear to be over the odds given their previous dominance in the tournament.
The Kiwi Ferns won the 2000, 2005 and 2008 World Cups before Australia claimed their first victory in 2013.
The New Zealand side will open the women’s World Cup against Canada in Sydney today, with the Jillaroos and Cook Islands clash to follow.
England and PNG will round out the first day of the tournament.