PLAYING backyard footy and WWE with her older brother Sam whilst growing up at their family home in Newcastle was the ideal preparation for star scrum half Layne Morgan to become a key member of the Wallaroos’ squad.
That school of hard knocks helped develop the competitive spirit in the 26-year-old, who is now in the Wallaroos’ Pacific Four squad, which is hopefully a stepping stone towards playing in her second Rugby World Cup later this year in England.
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It is fair to say Layne’s rough and tumble childhood with sibling Sam was nothing like that which Marcia, Jan and Cindy experienced in The Brady Bunch.
“It was usually backyard footy or WWE – coming off the top ropes which was the bedhead,” Layne said with a laugh.
“It was always something where someone was getting hurt and whoever ends up crying was the loser.
“Looking back on the stupid stuff we used to do, it prepped me for rugby. I knew what getting winded was like before stepping on to the footy field,” she added.
As a youngster Morgan dabbled in netball and touch football but soon discovered they were not the sports for her because she was consistently called out for being too aggressive.
“I was always pulled up for too hard of a touch or contact in netball, it was pretty common for me,” Morgan said.
“Once I got the offer to go down for a rugby trial, I was all for it so it was super exciting.”
After getting her first taste of the sport in Sevens as a 16-year-old she fell in love with the game and has never looked back, with 30 Test caps so far.
“I just love the contract and how aggressive it is,” she said.
“You’ve got to put your body on the line especially for a group of girls who are as passionate as you are – it’s awesome to be part of a culture like that.”
Morgan heads into the international program following an impressive campaign with Queensland in the Super W which boosted her confidence as a player after moving up from NSW this season.
“I think being with the Queensland team has really challenged me as a rugby player in my growth,” she said.
“I think it made me a better player showing what I can do and bring to a team - and not just my value in a team that is already well established.”
The team went from last position in 2024 to finish second this year with Morgan a very influential figure in their resurgence wearing the No.9 jersey.
“I was really proud of the team and all the effort that had been put in,” she said.
Queensland coach Andrew Fraser has nicknamed Morgan ‘Mighty Mouse’ because she has no fear of what is before her.
“She is a high calibre player who showed a high degree of detail and application,” he said. “We saw some really dominant performances in her games this year.”
He said defensively Morgan is extremely tough.
“We gave her some assignments against the Fijians off the back of a lineout and off the back of a scrum – and she was up there making the first contact,” Fraser said.
“She just personified the kind of attitude we wanted in defence.
“Australia is really lucky to have a quality halfback like Layne who works very hard at her game each and every day”
This Pacific Four series carries extra significance for Morgan and her Wallaroos’ teammates with the World Cup on the horizon.
“The Pac Four is important, like any Test match is,” she said. “We really want to solidify where we are on the world ladder and show the world what we have got, especially coming into a World Cup.
“It’s really important to get combinations together and make sure we get a good product by the time we are in England.”
Morgan said the main focus for the Wallaroos during this tournament was about growth as players and building connections.
And the Pac Four is a great entrée for the World Cup, where the Wallaroos will play their first game against Samoa in Manchester on August 23.
“It’s best to be able to practice your footy before you head into the big ones,” she said.
And there is no better way to gauge where the team is at than a clash with the New Zealand Black Ferns.
“It’s always a grudge match but we are absolutely ready to take it to them and hopefully get the win,” Morgan said. “The Ferns always bring a good product to the 15s game but we are really developing as a team.
“It’s always a tough game against those guys with them being in the top two in the world. Being just across ditch always makes for a good rivalry.
“Unfortunately we haven’t beaten the Black Ferns yet, but it is definitely on our to do list – and this year would be the time.”
The Wallaroos head into the showdown after kicking off their tournament with a 43-7 win over Fijiana in steamy Suva.
Having competed in the last Rugby World Cup has only made Morgan more enthusiastic about the chance to be selected in the squad again.
“World Cups don’t come often so it’s such a monumental occasion for women’s rugby,” she said. “Hopefully I can show what I can do in the next couple of games and put my best foot forward and be part of it.”
Morgan said the previous 2021 World Cup in New Zealand was a wild time as it was just after Covid.
“We had all been used to not seeing many people and not going many places and then to be stuck with a group of 32 of us, it was great fun,” she said. “There were a lot of adventures and good stories that came out.
“It’s always the best having all the girls on tour and getting along and having good laughs and I can’t wait for that.”
Sums as well as scrums play a big part of Morgan’s life after recently qualifying as a high school mathematics teacher.
“I just love working with the youth and helping them pave their way in their journey,” she said.
“I like being able to show kids there are different ways to be able to understand a subject and just because you don’t understand it one way doesn’t means you are not good at it.
“You can be good at anything, you just have to put your mind to it.”
Much the same as rugby - where there is more than one way to crack the Black Ferns defence.
