RUGBY UNION
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Margaret Watson will be putting her hand up this weekend.
The main event might be six months away, but the 27-year-old knows the importance of this upcoming training camp in realising her World Cup dream.
The 2013 Maitland Sportsperson of the Year nominee will join 40-plus hopefuls at the Australian Institute of Sport with places in the national women’s rugby union squad on the line.
Following these sessions, which begin in Canberra on Friday, numbers will be cut before the Wallaroos tour of New Zealand for a three-country series against the hosts and Canada.
Shortly after the final selections will take place with successful players to represent Australia at the 2014 World Cup in France in August.
Watson said she was not only looking forward to testing her skills and fitness against the country’s best, which includes Farley’s Mollie Gray, but also having an emphasis placed on the 15-a-side game.
“There will be basic testing and a few games [at the training camp] but it’s all very exciting,” Watson said.
“There have been 44 girls invited down plus there are a few sevens girls in contention as well, so we should be pretty strong.
“One of the best things will be showcasing the larger team game because it [rugby union] has become very sevens focused.”
Rugby sevens has been introduced into the Olympic program for 2016 and already there are established international programs for the shorter form of the game, meanwhile, another piece of silverware is up for grabs.
Watson will aim for a second World Cup appearance after being part of the Wallaroos’ campaign in 2010, which resulted in a bronze medal like their male counterparts in New Zealand the following year.
Watson, who plays for University in the Newcastle and Hunter Rugby Union women’s competition, will be out to rectify that and finish higher on the podium this time around.
An unofficial training session was held in Sydney last month while a satellite squad has been working with the Newcastle sides involved with the inaugural ARU Junior Gold Cup.
“It has been really good and the under 17 boys have been good to work with,” she said.
Watson, whose preferred position is hooker, will also line up for the Maitland Pickers this winter in the Sydney Women’s Metropolitan Rugby League competition.
The Shortland-based forward has played both seasons since the Pickers’ inception and last year was selected in the NSW rugby league squad.
The dual representation saw Watson nominated for the 2013 Maitland Sportsperson of the Year award, which will be announced at the Maitland Town Hall on March 7.
The People’s Choice award has opened with the chance for readers to win $1000 worth of gift vouchers at Stockland Green Hills simply by voting for your favourite Maitland sportsperson from 2013.