Brumbies co-captain Jane Garraway has already turned her focus to proving a point in the 2021 Super W finals after this year’s competition was cut short.
The Brumbies were set to face off against the Reds for a spot in the Super W final against the but the competition’s playoffs were ultimately cancelled because of the coronavirus pandemic.
While the ACT were considered outsiders to qualify for the final, the Brumbies women never had the chance to create a major upset in the playoffs.
Instead, they, and all athletes around the country, are training in isolation and staring down the barrel of months without rugby.
All club and community rugby has been suspended until at least June 1, while it is also expected to effect the Wallaroos' international season that is scheduled to begin in July.
Garraway said the challenge for players was finding something to drive them every day and for the halfback, that drive was the chance to make a statement in 2021.
“Definitely my reason to keep training over this period is definitely next season,” she told reporters on a video conference call on Wednesday.
“Obviously we don’t know what it will look like or what club rugby will look like either but my reason why to keep training and to stay motivates me to stay fit and stay on top of my game is definitely for next season and even looking more forward than that is the finals series of next season.
Next year is the biggest in the four-year cycle of women’s XVs rugby, with the 2021 World Cup to be held in September in New Zealand and Wallaroos spots will be desperately sought.
There has been fears across all major football codes that women’s sport could be the biggest victim when it comes to funding cuts in the coronavirus fallout.
Rugby Australia has given every indication that Super W will still be played next year and Garraway said she felt the continuation of the competition would be vital for the sport.
“I play rugby I don't quite know the financial side of it and how that'll work out and what next year will look like and things like that but I do know that our competition does have a following and particularly it does have a following of younger girls who really want to get involved in rugby and play,”she said.
“I think the best thing is for our competition to stay alive and numbers in rugby will continue to grow through that female channel.
“With different codes bringing in their own leagues of the women's game it's definitely broadened the scope of what particularly codes can offer. I think the women's leagues are so valuable to each sporting code.”
As she waits for rugby to resume, Garraway is still working full-time as a lawyer in Canberra and doing no-frills training, involving bodyweight workouts and outdoor runs.
