Super Rugby Women’s 2024: NSW Waratahs, Piper Duck, interview with Wallaroos captain
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What should have been the proudest and happiest year of Piper Duck’s bright young rugby career quickly turned into a painful 12 months of frustration.
At just 22, Duck was last year named the youngest captain in Wallaroos history when announced as a surprise successor to revered Olympics gold medallist Shannon Parry.
Duck was shocked by the honour at such a tender age but then coach Jay Tregonning raved about the Tumut product’s long list of attributes.
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“Piper is an amazing young woman who has an exceptional talent for connecting with others, and having a positive impact on everyone around her,” Tregonning said.
“She was an obvious choice for a new captain, and represents the very best that we look for in young people today – she is kind, empathetic, curious, eloquent and a keen listener. She is also fierce, determined and relentless, and I look forward to her bringing more of those traits to this young group.”
Duck donned the smart national blazer for an introductory press conference and photo shoot but rotten luck meant she is yet to actually captain Australia in a Test match.
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The Waratahs backrower first suffered a dreaded Lisfranc injury in her left foot before a routine lineout drill went horribly wrong while training with the Wallaroos in Canada.
A leaping Duck landed horribly on a teammates’ foot, shattering her right ankle while also “tearing all the cartilage and lateral.”
A full reconstruction and long, lonely rehab days followed.
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“It has been very difficult,” Duck admitted in an interview with Wide World of Sports ahead of this weekend’s kickoff in the rebranded Super Rugby Women’s competition.
“Going into that role (Wallaroos captain) and then getting another serious injury and not being able to do that was obviously heartbreaking. Disappointing.
“But the girls have been amazing. And (interim captain) Michaela Leonard in that role has been honestly outstanding. The way she’s led the group, running out on the paddock, extremely grateful for her and proud of what the girls achieved last year.”
The good news is that Duck has made it through preseason unscathed and is set to make her return in Saturday’s season opener against the Brumbies at Allianz Stadium.
“All that time off has made me realise how much I truly value rugby, but also how much I truly value the group that I get to play with every day,” Duck said.
“Some major reflection time but I’m extremely confident at the moment with how I’m going. My physios have made sure I am ready to come back. And that’s why we have taken our time. I’m feeling strong and confident.”
The Waratahs are again starting the season as the hunters and not the hunted after the Drua won their second straight title last season.
Before the Fijian team’s introduction, NSW peeled off four straight championships.
“We are extremely hungry to get that trophy back,” Duck said.
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“The talent of the group is outstanding and Mike Ruthven, the new coach, has added a lot of value to the group.”
Duck has also got good initial vibes from new Wallaroos coach Jo Yapp.
”She just seems like a very strong woman and I’m really excited to be playing under her. I love what Jo said about how gender doesn’t matter. If you’re a good coach, you’re a good coach and she’s absolutely right. She is a quality coach and we’re very fortunate.”
