IT’S been a whirlwind five years but Jillaroos star Kezie Apps is relishing the threat to deliver her Test profession full circle whilst WIN Stadium hosts a blockbuster Trans-Tasman double-header in October.
Apps was a rookie the final time the venue hosted Test fit rugby league, making her debut in opposition to the Kiwi Ferns in November 2014.
It became the primary leg of a doubleheader that still noticed the Kangaroos tackle Samoa in a Four Nations clash – the first time the Jillaroos had shared the equal Test degree because of the guys.
It will move up a notch this time around with the Kangaroos web hosting the No. 2 ranked Kiwis in Wollongong for the first time ever.
Now a true movie star of the sport, Apps says that sunny Sunday afternoon seems an entire lifetime ago as she eyes a return to what without a doubt feels like her domestic patch.
“It’s in which I played my first ever Test match so it will usually be a truly special place for me,” Apps said.
“It changed into my first yr of footy and all my circle of relatives and friends from the Bega were able to arise right here and watch. When I heard there has been going to be any other Test here it sincerely introduced the one’s memories lower back.
“I’d in no way notion I might get that opportunity and to have now been a part of the Australian team this lengthy. I’ve performed for NSW here and obviously now being worried about the Dragons it simply appears like home turf to me.
“Hopefully come the give up of the yr I may be in shape and injury unfastened and I can be part of it once more.”
While she has each intention of being there on October 25, she’s discovered the difficult way not to take such possibilities for granted.
In the five years on the grounds that that debut in Wollongong, Apps has had reason to impeach whether or not she had played her ultimate recreation of footy for the Helensburgh Tigerlillies, let alone Australia.
A broken leg at the 2017 Auckland Nines required surgery and a six-month recuperation duration. She made it again just time to play in the Blues State of Origin win over Queensland in Wollongong however it becomes a trying out the length.
She suffered some other principal setback in her maximum recent outing for the Jillaroos in October closing 12 months, breaking the same leg in a sickening tackle that left her fearing the worst.
It’s in which I performed my first ever Test healthy so it’ll always be a sincerely special location for me.
Kezie Apps
It failed to show worst-case situation, but it is meant some other stint inside the rehab room, although one that leaves her assured heading into 2019.
“I virtually wasn’t in any rush to get lower back this time,” she said.
“It’s been quite gradual and consistent and it is been accurate to go through that process and no longer trying to get back for a sport or a season like I actually have within the past.
“I’m feeling truly good, I’m returned running, tackling and everything. It’s pretty much doing that prehab stuff now to keep on top of it.
“I simply need to stay harm-free now for 2019, it is my primary aim, and with any luck come the quit of the 12 months I’m healthy sufficient and playing properly sufficient to pull on that [Australian] jersey once more.”
