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‘It's our responsibility': Australian star's vision to stave off NRLW poaching

‘It's our responsibility': Australian star's vision to stave off NRLW poaching

The Age3 days ago
Wallaroos utility Lori Cramer insists there is enough talent in Australia's ranks to challenge the juggernauts of women's world rugby, despite the disparity of opportunities in global competitions.
When the Queensland Reds star is not gracing the fields of Ballymore for the Super Rugby Women's, she plies her trade for the Exeter Chiefs in England's Allianz Premiership Women's Rugby competition.
For the English 2024-25 season,18 rounds between nine teams took place before finals – a stark contrast to the four rounds before finals experienced in Australia.
That lopsided level of experience received by players has been reflected at the Women's Rugby World Cup, with England featuring in eight of nine finals – finishing third in their one campaign in which they did not reach the last clash.
'A lot of the UK plays in England, you get the best of Ireland, the best of Scotland, the best of Wales. Then you get France, Italy, a lot of Americans, the Canadians and even some Kiwis and Aussies – you get the best of the world,' Cramer said.
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'Because you've got more depth in players, and it's an 18-round season, you go through those highs and lows of the season, and you get time to build on-field combinations.'
The Wallaroos have, meanwhile, never made a final – a third-place finish in 2010 their lone occasion in the competition's final four.
However, speaking ahead of the nation's battle with Wales at Ballymore – where she pleaded for fans to 'fill the hill' on Saturday – Cramer stressed strides had been taken to make an impression come the 2025 World Cup beginning in August.
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