Jemima McCalman is looking to show what the Waratahs missed out on as she prepares to make her debut for the Brumbies in Super W.
McCalman is pushing for a spot in the backline for Saturday's clash against the defending champions at GIO Stadium, who have never been beaten.
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The Sydney Uni product is very familiar with the opposition, having twice trained with the squad in pre-season before failing to earn a debut.
“I had two pre-seasons with the Waratahs and never pulled on the jersey,” she told reporters.
“I’m playing against a couple of my best mates which also gives the game an extra element. It’s really exciting that Brumbies have provided that opportunity for the Sydney girls that haven’t had a crack at Waratahs.
“Obviously, they are such a dominant team with great depth that trying to break into there can be difficult for some of us. To be able to come down to Brumbies and add to their depth, it’s really exciting.”
After not being offered a deal, McCalman was one of the standouts for the President's XV in last year's competition, eventually earning a call-up to the Wallaroos Players of National Interest (PONI) squad.
With a major year of Rugby on the horizon, McCalman and the Brumbies were looking to launch their season by nabbing the biggest scalp in the competition, buoyed by a close result in last month's trial.
“I think everyone is very excited,” she said.
“It’s been such a long pre-season and such an interrupted season last year is excited to kit up and get on the field. We’re looking to set the tone for our season as well as the rest of the Super W season.
“(The trial) was a really tough game, the scoreline ended up two tries to one which is the closest the Brumbies have gotten as a unit to the Waratahs so that’s really exciting for us."
“Going up against the Waratahs who are undefeated and such champions of the game, it’s always really exciting and you know it’s going to be a tough match-up.
“For us, it’s all about putting all of our pre-season work together and sticking it to them, making a really hard game for them and hopefully we can come away with the win.”
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