ACT Brumbies captain Siokapesi Palu is embracing her change to the back row as she looks to lock down a spot for the Wallaroos.
Palu made the surprise move for the WXV competition, having spent her entire career in the centres.
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“My involvement within the team this past two years has been quite hard. I’ve been in the (national) squads … but unfortunately wasn’t able to get the call to play in those Test matches,” Palu said to Rugby.com.au in October.
“This was my personal approach to say “how can I, with my skill set, benefit this team?,” So that’s where the chats began in terms of getting me to move into the back row.
“I was in this role for the last Laurie O’Reilly camp, so those that are in front of me and those who’ve been in those positions before me actually helped me transition as well as the coaches.”
The 27-year-old's move was an inspired decision, starting in wins over France and Wales.
Returning to clubland, Palu is eager to nail down the basics of the role after being thrown into the deep end.
“Following that WXV transition phase, I think it’s important that I try and perfect a position and I didn’t get that season last year to really grow into it," she told Rugby.com.au at the Super Rugby W season launch.
“This will be my season to implement the basics and try and execute it come Wallaroos season
“I think the biggest thing for me is that I used to be a really big body in the backline and now I’m probably a smaller body in the forwards so it’s just trying to match that physicality with them.
“The heart’s there but the body actually needs to follow. It’s really exciting and I think being thrown into the deep end is a good thing because it forces you to perform and catch up with everyone else."
The ACT Brumbies narrowly missed the Final in 2023, with the Reds kicking a late penalty to seal the place.
However, they return in 2024 with a host of international experienced players, with young guns Faitala Moleka and Tabua Tuinakauvadra making their Wallaroos debuts.
“We need to be consistent. I think we were a little bit sporadic last year, some games were good, some games were bad,” Palu believes.
“We need an 80-minute game but probably by the 30th-40th minute and at 60th were probably the time that led us down so we need to be able to perform and I think it’s tactical as well, just knowing when we actually have to sift the gear up a little bit.
“(Faitala and Tabua) come back to a more national level and know they can perform because they’ve done it against the best in the world and that’s a confidence booster for them.
“They’ve played and trained against the best and now it’s up to them to be leaders. They’re no longer the inexperienced players, everyone actually looks up to them and that’s big shoes for them to feel but they’ve actually executed and done quite well."
