Emerging superstar Alysia Lefau-Fakaosilea has revealed how she was “gutted” to miss out on Australian selection last year due to eligibility issues but says playing for the Wallaroos in July would be a dream come true.
Lefau-Fakaosilea is still a teenager but the Queensland centre was a dominant force in the Super W this season, helping them make the final against eventual champions NSW.
Coming after her success in the Super W the year before, where Lefau-Fakaosilea starred while still in year 12, the now 18-year-old has been selected in the Wallaroos training squad ahead of Tests against Japan and New Zealand in coming months.
The talented teen is so highly rated she has also been a part of the Australian women’s sevens squad this year, though is yet to debut.
Lefau-Fakaosilea is likely to make her Wallaroos debut against Japan in Newcastle on July 13.
She could have been picked to make her Wallaroos debut last year but was denied for not having lived in Australia for 36 months.
As Lefau-Fakaosilea told RUGBY.com.au in the first of a "Walking with Wallaroos" series of interviews (see video above), her family only recently moved across from New Zealand.
“I actually don’t have my citizenship yet, I have to live here for three years,” she said.
“Last year I was ineligible because I only lived her for 2 years, but this year I was eligible.
“It was really exciting to get that call (from Wallaroos coach Dwayne Nestor) because it was always a dream of mine. Last year I was really gutted that I couldn’t play or be selected to play in that wider squad.
“But this year I am trying to work hard and make that squad so that I can play those Test matches against Japan and New Zealand as well.”
Lefau-Fakaosilea revealed Nestor had phoned with the good news of her selection as Queensland’s Super W side were due to celebrate their just-completed season.
“It was mad Monday and I was coming to the gym and Mum was running with phone across the field and she was like: “He’s on the phone”,” Lefau-Fakaosilea said.
“I was talking to him and I was so excited. I finished gym so happy. After the finals was really good.”
Lefau-Fakaosilea said she decided to start playing rugby a few years ago due to the success of her uncle, Wallabies lock Will Skelton.
“I was actually playing netball but I am from a rugby family so when I first played rugby and heard about Will Skelton and all of them I was like I should get into all of that,” she said.
“I have spoken to Will and he was really supportive of my rugby as well.”
Lefau-Fakaosilea may give her rivals an unpleasant experience when she plays against them, but she says her only motivation when playing rugby is to have fun.
“That is the only reason why I play as well,” she said.
“I think that I just think about it, like every day I just have fun and with the girls.
“They’re awesome so I get along well with all of them. So it is pretty much like a family to me. When I come over I don’t think about anything conditioning and stuff like that, I am just running around with my friends.”
The Wallaroos play Japan in a two-Test series in July. The first Test is on July 13 at No.2 Sportsground, Newcastle. Tickets on sale now through Ticketek.
