Madi Schuck is in her element at Bond Rugby Club this week, using hometown knowledge to help her Wallaroos teammates find the best places to refuel.
Australia’s women’s rugby team is in camp at the university preparing for next month’s Rugby World Cup in New Zealand.
Schuck, a Surfers Paradise local, is the squad’s self-appointed tour guide.
“I’ve been able to recommend a really nice dumpling place and a great café. I just love being home,” she said.
“Training can be a lot mentally and physically so when I need a break, I can duck 15 minutes up the road and feed my cat and give it a cuddle.”
Australia’s opening match against the Black Ferns at Eden Park on October 8 will mark Schuck’s 31st birthday.
“It’s been a dream for the last 13 years. So many years of missing out and never being quite good enough, and then a couple of team changes and now I’m an unlikely prop,” she said.
Schuck, who works as a paramedic, injured her knee seven weeks ago but fortunately it was ‘the best scenario’ she could have hoped for in terms of damage done.
It means she will return for Bond in Sunday’s Queensland Premier Rugby women’s Grand Final against Easts Tigers at Suncorp Stadium.
The Bull Sharks booked their ticket after winning back-to-back games by just one point.
“It’s something we’ve been working towards for the past three years since we’ve had the 15s program,” Schuck said.
“We’ve had a lot of adversity over the years. It’s the last year for our coaches so we really want to win it for them.
“We have the AON Women’s 7s Series title (Bond defeated Griffith University in 2021) and we also want the Premier 15s title as well.”
Winning their maiden cup won’t be easy - Easts have beaten Bull Sharks twice this season.