Cobargo’s Millie Boyle will be one of 10 debutants in the Australian Wallaroos for a three-match international next month.
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Boyle, who was announced in the team on her 19th birthday over the weekend, will serve at lock for the Aussies against England, New Zealand and Canada in Auckland.
“I got the news from one of our coaches last week during my lunch break, I was so happy I wanted to cry when he told me I made the team,” Boyle beamed.
“I couldn’t believe the news and I called Mum straight away.”
Mum in question, Shelley, shared her excitement on social media.
“Your determination, strength and positive attitude is amazing – [I am] the proudest mum ever,” Shelley wrote.
Boyle said it was “quite a young team” lining up with nine other debutants, but she said they would get the chance to learn from Australia’s best – and most experienced –players as well.
Wallaroos head coach Paul Verrell said it was a fitting reward for some of the rising young stars of the game.
“It has been very encouraging to see the next generation coming through. They have really lifted their work rate both on and off the field, which has led to their selection in this squad,” Verrell told Brumbies media.
“The players named in this squad is a testament to their hard work and performances over the last twelve months.”
Boyle’s national squad debut could pose a huge opportunity as the team will likely form the backbone for the World Cup selections.
“It’s potentially the side for the World Cup that will run in Ireland later this year,” she said.
Never one to shy away from the challenge, Boyle said she was relishing the chance to take on the world’s best.
“Going up against the three top women's teams in the world will definitely be a challenge to say the least,” she says with a laugh.
“But I'm looking forward to the experience and feel so lucky that I have been given this amazing opportunity.”
The battle for supremacy on the family fridge is still raging too, with brother Morgan featuring for the Gold Coast Titans in the NRL recently.
However, Millie has now leap-frogged her big brother once more with the Australian selection.
She said her first outing with the national squad would involve an intense training regimen, but Boyle joked it would only be a short stint as the team flies out in about two weeks.
“Things will be pretty full on, but it won’t be for long as we fly out to New Zealand on June 2,” she says with a laugh.
I was so happy I wanted to cry when he told me I made the team
- Millie Boyle