Weekend Gold Coast Bulletin

Millie’s on the Boyle

Bond star to take it to former ACT teammate

- ELIZA REILLY

AHEAD of the Queensland’s Super W showdown with the Brumbies tonight, ACT veteran Louise “Cookie” Burrows boldly declared that the Reds were “beatable.”

Queensland back-rower Millie Boyle, though, is having none of it.

“It’s funny hearing that because I used to play with Cookie in the ACT,” she said.

“I guess all teams are beatable at some point but it’s up to the team who puts in a good performanc­e on the day. In saying that, we’re confident in our side to take out the win.”

After missing last year’s inaugural Super W season through injury, Bond University Boyle has cherished the chance to represent her state.

“I was still training with the team last year when I was injured but obviously had to miss the season after having surgery so it’s meant a lot to be able to play this year,” she said.

“I loved every minute I’ve spent playing in the jersey.”

The 20-year-old admits the mental challenges of her debilitati­ng rotator cuff injury drove her to leave Australia as she sought a break from the game she loves.

“It was pretty hard missing out on that first year of Super W,” she said.

“I was out for a year and snuck away to Europe to get away from rugby. Injuries happen but it’s a risk we take playing the game.”

With tonight’s 5pm game at Ballymore the last before finals, Boyle is eager to make an impact on the country’s biggest stage after watching her team go down to NSW in last season’s decider.

“It’s a healthy competitio­n and competitio­n is tough but we want to go one better this year and take out the title,” she said.

Queensland have already gone down to their NSW rivals in Round 3 this season but Boyle is hoping that a finals rematch is on the cards.

“Hopefully we get to play them again because I don’t think we played to our potential as a team,” she said.

 ?? Picture: BRENDAN HERTEL ?? Millie Boyle at training ahead of Queensland's Super W game with ACT.
Picture: BRENDAN HERTEL Millie Boyle at training ahead of Queensland's Super W game with ACT.

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