The Wallaroos will enjoy a few days off before they head out to England for the Rugby World Cup, and they will be determined to hit the ground running when they face Samoa in their inaugural match in Manchester.
Cecilia Smith is among a large cohort of players heading to their second World Cup after featuring in New Zealand in 2021, with the centre taking note of the growing talent set to join this time round.
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“It's been really good,” Smith told Rugby.com.au on Monday.
“Obviously, we've had a lot of young ones come through the ranks, which kind of pushes us old ones to really push for a spot.
“It's been awesome annd obviously, having some of the Sevens girls come in as well, that's a massive step up too. They've been a real asset to the team since coming in.”
Charlotte Caslick has been one of the big inputs into Jo Yapp’s set up, with Smith working with the Sevens star first hand as she made her transition into the centres.
The inclusion has been mutually beneficial, with the Sevens players not only excelling under the XVs players guidance, but in turn, the XVs stars learning about key tricks to operate in a professional environment.
“She's [Caslick] got a great resume with the Rugby Sevens and [is] an outstanding rugby player as well,” Smith added.
“I think her inserting herself in the XVs has been really awesome to watch.She's learnt real fast, and we also learn something from her. Her attacking plays, it's really cool to play alongside.
“I also think Tia Hinds has been great too since coming in. She's learnt the game real quick, and especially at ten, it's really hard.
“For them when they came in, obviously they have stuff to learn with XVs, but also giving us their knowledge of what it's like, because obviously a backline like Sevens, they teach us those things, and they're just so fast.
“Trying to keep up with all these is pretty crazy, but it's been awesome to have them.”
On the flipside, the arrival of Sevens players has come with an influx of young stars, among them the uncapped Caitlin Urwin, exciting halfback Samantha Wood, and Caitlyn Halse.
With 15 players set to play their first World Cup in the squad, it looms as an opportunity for the next generation to make their mark - and maybe inspire more women rugby players to wear the gold jersey.
“I'm really looking forward to hopefully seeing her [Urwin] debut at World Cup,” Smith added.
“Sammy Wood, the last game, I thought she played well.I look forward to seeing more of her do that when we're out there. ‘The Kid’ [Halse], [has a] great boot and she's outstanding at the back. Gets us in the right places on the field, so I'm really looking forward to seeing the young ones.
“Us growing up, we didn't really have much footy at that age, and for them to come through with the stuff that we already have now, the opportunities that they're getting at the moment, it's so big.
“These kids, they just take it with two hands, and they just carve it up when they do get it. It's awesome to see the growth in women's rugby, especially nowadays.
“I have a daughter myself, she's always proud of me, and she's always by that sideline, and always seeing those young ones cheering for us, and hoping one day they want to be a Wallaroo.
“It just knows we've done our job to get those little ones to want to play when they grow up.”
Will Smith’s daughter aim to follow in her mother’s footsteps?
“Yeah, I mean, I'm trying!” Smith laughed.
