Downs trio play for Jillaroos
THREE women who first starred in sport at school on the Southern Downs will line up for the Australian Jillaroos in a rugby league game against the President’s X111 in Samoa today.
Stephanie Hancock, Heather Ballinger and Jo Barrett played for Queensland in a State of Origin win against New South Wales at Suncorp Stadium this season and are again in the Jillaroos team.
The team went into camp at Bishop Park in Brisbane on Monday, before an overnight flight to Samoa.
Barrett said both Ballinger and Hancock were likely to play in the front row.
“Stephanie has been moved from the centres and will handle front row, absolutely,” Barrett said.
Barrett will play in either the front or second row after winning this season’s Queensland women’s premiership with Souths Logan.
Souths Logan won the grand final 40-8 against new team Browns Plains. Hancock scored a try for Browns Plains and was the league’s top try-scorer.
Ballinger hails from Cairns and, according to Barrett, is a forward set to perform well in Samoa.
“She is a reliable player.”
A Test against Samoa will be played on Saturday.
