Madi Schuck’s pride in wearing the Indigenous jersey of the Wallaroos on Tuesday will be an emotional union of heritage, rugby and personal discovery.
Being selected at prop to face Japan at Bond University (5pm AEST) is also pure satisfaction after all the knockbacks that she was too small to make it in her favoured role.
Purchase your tickets for the Wallaroos' Test matches against Japan
Schuck, 30, has found a powerful connection with her culture through rugby that was denied her early in life.
It wasn’t until she was 17 that she discovered her grandma Mavis was of the “Stolen Generations” and taken at birth from her mother in Melbourne in the 1930s.
Schuck’s own self-discovery has been ongoing but you have a headstart when you are perceptive, resilient and communicate as well as she does.
“The private investigator hired when grandma was in her 60s or 70s was only able to track one side of the family,” Schuck said.
“She was removed from her own mother in Melbourne at birth, taken to Queensland and adopted.
“What we weren’t able to discover was where our mob came from originally so that connection has been lost which, unfortunately, is a common story.”
She identifies as being born in Turrbal country (in Brisbane) and lives and works as a paramedic on the Gold Coast in Yugambeh country.
“I’ve always felt a disconnect to my culture because I can’t give a stronger answer. I can’t look up the elders of my ancestors,” she said.
“Rugby brings me a connection to my culture. I’m one of five girls with Indigenous heritage at the Wallaroos and that love of playing the game is something we have in common.
“When the Queensland Reds were to wear their first Indigenous jersey in Super W earlier this season, I told the coach ‘If you don’t start me in this one, we’ll have words’.
“So yeah, wearing the Wallaroos Indigenous jersey is huge for me and something I’m really proud of.”
We have already witnessed how deep Schuck’s emotions run. She was in tears during the singing of the national anthem before last Friday’s Test against Fijiana at Suncorp Stadium where she debuted off the bench.
She made several powerful charges and her mobility matches up well against the Japanese pack.
“I lost it in the anthem and the girls have been giving it to me ever since,” Schuck said with a laugh.
“It was just everything coming out because it was something I’d dreamt about even when there were all those voices saying it would never happen.
“There was that feeling too with the girls that so many had waited years for this chance to finally come.”
Schuck had missed numerous selections for Queensland in preceding years. She was told she’d never make it or that she was too small to be a prop at 1.65m and 77kgs.
She credits former All Black and New Zealand Sevens legend Eric Rush with providing her with the motivation to never give up.
She had heard Rush’s sharp, insightful and funny patter as a guest speaker several times at her childhood club, Redlands...and his story of never making any representative team until he was 21.
“There were hard times not being picked for teams but you cry and sulk and sook for one day and then you get back out on the field and do extras to improve,” Schuck said.
“I’ve heard Eric Rush speak a few times and he always says that not being picked is just one man’s opinion and it’s not that you are not good enough. It’s not a reason to give up,” Schuck said.
“I’ve had people tell me I’m too small to be a prop and I tried to get a look in as a hooker too. I’ve been told that I could be a good player but not the great player that the Wallaroos pick.”
Eventually, the right eyes spotted her good scrummaging shape at prop and dealing with rivals 20kg-plus heavier. Wallaroos coach Jay Tregonning is backing her.
"And I get to play this Test on my home field at Bond University. I'd normally be training here at 6pm on a Tuesday...now I'm here playing for Australia. How good?" Schuck said.
