After a longer-than-usual build, the Rugby World Cup is less than 24 hours away and the Wallaroos couldn't be more excited.To see the scale of the setbacks, you only just have to look at the name – Rugby World Cup 2021, played in 2022 due to COVID.For the players involved, it was a tough process to deal with as the reality of the situation set in following that announcement in March 2021.“It was really disappointing,” centre Georgina Friedrichs recalled to reporters about the postponement.“It was during lockdown so we were all in our state groups training pretty hard and our warm-up matches got cancelled and then the news came through of the World Cup being pushed back.“It was really disappointing that all that hard work we were building to had been extended for another 12 months.”“I think we gave ourselves a week, we found out the information on the Wednesday, didn’t train Thursday and then back in Wednesday with our PONI (Player of National Interest) squads. I just remember coming into the huddle before training and there were tears and frustration,” flanker Emily Chancellor added.“We got it all out there and then went ‘we’ve got another job to do.’ We worked through all the COVID periods and went through that six-week block and trained hard for a Test match that didn’t come. “We just broke it down into blocks and that’s how we’ve moved into this year with our camp in January and then the two Test matches after Super W and that’s been the process. I think the beauty of a World Cup is it’s just another block so we’ve worked up to today and now it’s about getting through tomorrow.”576 days later, the Wallaroos are on the eve of their opening match of the tournament against host nations Black Ferns.The extended wait only builds excitement according to Chancellor, with the squad relishing the moment.“It’s so exciting. I feel like this World Cup has had such a build-up, not only with a four-year cycle but that added bonus,” Chancellor believes.“We’ve been in the system fighting since 2019-2020 so to be finally here and get the opportunity to be on this world stage is so exciting and I feel like all the hard work is finally paying off.”After all the pain and emotions associated with a delayed World Cup, cancelled Tests and brutal build-ups, the Wallaroos will get the chance to play a key part in history.World Rugby confirmed on Friday the full house sign has gone up at Eden Park for the opening matchday of the event.It will well and truly smash the previous record of 20,000 set at the 2014 Final and double the previous mark for a women's sporting event in the country.“I think it’s pretty special to be able to say we’re going to be able to play in such a large crowd,” Friedrichs believes.“The support that we’re getting behind women’s sport is incredible.“It’s such a celebration and exciting way for a culture in New Zealand who live and breathe Rugby to celebrate and support women’s sport and rugby, it’s so exciting,” Chancellor interjected.“You know how big the crowds have been in England at their Tests but to turn around and have this crowd for essentially a game between Australia and New Zealand, two countries that are so passionate and rivalled around Rugby is really exciting.”Click Here:
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