No jersey, no name, no uniform. The Wallaroos' journey across its history to a top-five side has been special.
September 2 marks the 30-year anniversary since their maiden Test in 1994 as the Australians took on New Zealand at North Sydney Oval.
Click here to purchase Wallaroo 19: Celebrating Women's Rugby in Australia
Wallaroo #19 Libby Andrew was a part of the trailblazers that have paved the way for future generations and was inspired to tell their rise and story during the COVID lockdown period.
This led to the creation of 'Wallaroo 19', a book outlining her plight and the team's fight for recognition.
“I think what happened to me in COVID was like the rest of the country we were locked in and sat with ourselves and worked out what was important and who those people were," she told Rugby.com.au
“When the doors were open and the restrictions were lifted, it was a time for me to really express some gratitude and to prioritise writing this story so that it’s not lost.
“30 years is a long time to go since the first Test match with nothing still in the records books.”
The journey took Andrew far and wide as she reconnected with players throughout her illustrious career including the 1998 and 2002 World Cups and four appearances for Australia at the Hong Kong Sevens.
The reconnection with ten cap Wallaroo Mieke Fortune (nee Gladwin) through her husband after she passed from breast cancer was especially special as her daughter looks to follow in her footsteps.
The book details her rise through the ranks and the battle for the squad to not only play but to be simply recognised as an Australian team.
“We fought for a jersey. We fought for a name. The absolute basics because we didn’t have a team name. We weren’t called the Wallaroos," she explained.
“We didn’t have a uniform. My journey includes the Sevens as well but we weren’t even allowed to play under the banner of Australia."
As part of the 30-year anniversary, past squads have got together in line with Wallaroos' Test matches across the eastern seaboard.
Whilst the road to professionalism is still a long way, the differences between the first and current squad are unrecognisable.
“My experience is absolutely universes away from theirs," Andrew admits.
“To see them running out in a full kit with a tracksuit and all the extras makes me feel really pleased that the girls are being taken seriously and are given the things they need.”
