By Michael Weaver
AN Australian Services Rugby Union (ASRU) women’s team has taken on some of the country’s top female sides at an Australian Rugby Union tournament at Narrabeen in Sydney from October 7-11.

The competition saw games in Tens and Sevens formats against teams from Western Australia, ACT and a Lloyd McDermott Rugby Development Team, which marked a first for any ASRU women’s side.

The ASRU women placed third in the respective events.

ASRU women’s coach Leut-Cmdr Rob McLauchlin, ADF Warfare Centre, RAAF Williamtown, said the event was a purely a testing ground for future ASRU sides.

He said the squad of 18 players and five support staff gained a great deal from the week of matches, winning two of their five games in the Tens and two of five games in the Sevens.

“This format gave us a chance to blood players at a competitive level and myself and Chris Talbot [assistant coach] are certainly keen to keep going in this direction,” he said.

“The main thing is that the team came together very well and improved with each game.

“The aim now is to put a development program together, with short and long term plans for the future of women’s rugby in the services.”

In the short term, Leut-Cmdr McLauchlin is looking to an ASRU women’s side participating in an Australian Rugby Union competition next year, while further afield are plans for an ASRU women’s side to tour another country.

“In the meantime, we’ll look at building the numbers of women playing rugby in the services to give us a wider base to choose from.”

Best and fairest player was team captain, Capt Viv Law (Army). Best rookie was Midn Amanda Eddy (Navy). Players’ player was Capt Rebecca Talbot (Army).

Special mention was also made of Spr Beth Van Dooran (Army) and Australian Wallaroos representative Leut Nyree Osiek (Navy) for their efforts.

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