15-cap Wallaroo Ivania Wong boasts one of Australian rugby’s most unenviable domestic records – five silver medals from five grand finals.
It's a ledger the Queensland flyer is determined to square in 2024, starting with a slice of revenge in Sunday’s grand final rematch against Fijiana Drua.
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The Reds fell agonisingly short in a 38-30 thriller last year and are raring to pay it back in Round 1 of the revamped Super Rugby Women’s competition.
“I think it’s important to go back and watch those games, even though it stings to watch,” Wong told media on Thursday.
“Being a part of every grand final Queensland’s been a part of, it still hurts the same. But it just adds more fire to it, to have played in all five grand finals and haven’t won.
“I still remember every single one. We’re excited this year to have a GF rematch and see where both squads are at.”
The Drua remain a somewhat unknown quantity despite their two-time premiership credentials and Queensland have more insight than ever with 2023 player Doreen Narokete joining the Reds off-season.
Meanwhile the return of Wallaroo veterans Liz Patu and Lori Cramer has added a wealth of experience to complement existing Test players like Wong, Mel Wilks, Carys Dallinger, Madi Schuck, and captain Cecilia Smith.
“I’m sure there’s going to be nerves (for Doreen) coming against her old team but we’ve got her back so hopefully she can just go out there this Sunday and play her game,” Wong said.
“We’ve got a pretty exciting backline with a lot of experience … the likes of Carys at 10 and for us having a player like Lori Cramer back who’s one of the more experienced players challenges us and pushes us to be better and go harder.
“It’s been a while since we’ve had an official game here (at Ballymore) with the new facility. Obviously this is home for us and we get to train here, so to get to play here on Sunday is pretty special and exciting.”
Click here for all the Round 1 Super Rugby Women's team news.
