When Emily Chancellor first stumbled into a Rugby clinic at age 21, the back-rower never imagined she would go on to build the career she did.
Now, Chancellor is calling time on her Wallaroos career, with her final appearance in gold set for Friday against Scotland in Canberra.
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The backrower has been an integral piece of the program for close to a decade, playing in two World Cups and 41 games for Australia.
She has played with 108 teammates and helped usher in a new era for the team, with multiple World Cup appearances and a 2023 win over France among her personal highlights.
"It's been such a roller coaster of emotions, but it's time for me," Chancellor told reporters, fighting back tears on multiple occasions during the press conference.
"I know that not many people get an opportunity to make this decision themselves so I'm really proud to be able to walk away on my terms. I've been inundated with messages today, which is really lovely but I'm just really proud of the time I've put in and the contribution to the game.
"...If you told me then that I would have been playing internationally for eight years, I would have probably laughed at you."
Chancellor first joined the Wallaroos squad in 2015 but had to wait three years for her debut against New Zealand.
The wait was worth it, setting up a try and being named player of the match, going on to win Wallaroos Player of the Year later that season in 2018.
"I was so terrified. I remember sitting in the change room thinking, 'oh my goodness, I'm playing against another country.' It was an emotional rollercoaster throughout the week," Chancellor said.
"I've come a long way since then and to have that moment last week in Sydney to go full circle was special."
Since that moment, Chancellor has been a star of the program and one of the most consistent back-rowers in the world.
She went to her first World Cup in 2022, nearly inspiring Australia to a famous upset win over New Zealand in the tournament opener, finishing the campaign with her maiden Test try against England, nominated for World Rugby Try of the Year.
Four years later, she was in the UK captaining the Wallaroos against Samoa, having become the 19th skipper of Australia earlier that year against Wales.
All throughout that period, the passion of Chancellor shone through, having transitioned from a die-hard fan on the sidelines to being the one players and fans alike looked up to.
"It's a really special place and team," she reflected.
"I wouldn't have pushed myself and my body and made the choices to choose this lifestyle for so many years if it wasn't worth it.
"It's a sisterhood we have and I'm very proud to be a part of it."
