CAIRNS STAR SHINING

Q

One of Cairns’ best rugby league exports Heather Ballinger will run out alongside you. What does she bring to the park?

A

‘Hef’ is one of the best if not the best forward running around in the world at the moment. She’s the same age as me and I’m under no illusion this is certainly my last year, but Heather ( pictured) is getting better with age. She seems to just keep improving year on year. She’s one of my best mates and it’s great to play alongside her, and she’s a proud North Queenslander, worked up in the federal police in Cairns. She still comes back every year in the state carnival to represent Cairns even though she lives down in Brisbane. In regard to our area, it just helps to get the message out to girls and players up here there is an opportunity.

Q

Tell us about the Jillaroos squad. Who is going to be making the headlines?

A

It’s a tough one. It’s a squad of 24 and even now we don’t know who’s going to be named because the depth is exceptional, so to single someone out in particular is really hard. There’s probably three people who can cover each position, which is a wonderful thing to have and headache for our coaches. I remember watching Zehara Temara as a junior down south and now she’s representing in her first World Cup and she plays in the halves and has got a good head on her … and there’s a couple of NSW girls who are also some great athletes and I have no doubt everyone’s going to be ready come our first game against the Cook Islands.