Australia’s Foreign Minister Julie Bishop was on hand to present the Wallaroos their jerseys ahead of their historic double header with the Wallabies.
Bishop addressed the team before presenting them with what for many was their first Test jersey.
“The girls are very excited and I'm looking forward to hearing how well they do,” she said.
“The Wallaroos have come together as a team, they had a great win against Auckland on Tuesday night, so we're hoping for the best tonight.”
In what has been a landmark year for women’s sport, the Wallaroos are the next rugby team in the spotlight, as they aim to end a 13-Test losing streak against the Black Ferns.
“It's a very exciting year, to see women's teams coming on so well.
“Internationally we had the rugby sevens’ success in Rio and now with the Wallaroos, I'm hoping that we can see more Australian female teams on the world stage, but also in Australia as role models, as mentors for other young women who aspire to play sport at an elite level.”
Bishop has been somewhat of a pioneer for women in politics and said she could see the similarities between that and the challenges sportswomen face.
“There are some parallels between being in a male-dominated profession or in politics and sport. We often face issues and questions, even from the media, that you know a male politician or male sportsman wouldn't be asked,” she said.
“Nevertheless, women are coming into their own and we're seeing so much more interest in terms of the viewing public in women's sport.
“In Australia we have the AFL women's league, we've had women's rugby sevens, now the women's rugby union and it really is so exciting to see women playing elite sport and the impact that that has at a grassroots level.”
Bishop won’t be at Eden Park for the two matches on Saturday night but said she was quietly confident of a green and gold double.
“We have a chance, a real chance. In fact, there are New Zealanders who are saying that the All Blacks are getting a bit complacent and this could be the Wallabies game,” she said.
“Let's hope it is.”
The Wallaroos take on the Black Ferns at Eden Park on Saturday, kicking off at 3:05pm AEDT, LIVE on FOXSPORTS 502.
