'Curious' culture driving Wallaroos to next level under Yapp
Tue, Apr 23, 2024, 8:37 AM
Nathan Williamson
The Wallaroos are embracing the 'curious' atmosphere that will await them in camp under new coach Jo Yapp.
Yapp will name her first Wallaroos squad next week as they get together before their Pacific Four opener against Canada on May 11.
Catch every game of Super Rugby Women's LIVE, ad-free and on demand on Stan Sport.
The Wallaroos celebrated a six-year partnership with Cadbury as the 'principal partner', continuing the increase in investment in the squad after an extra $3 million was announced at the start of the season.
These gradual steps are heading towards the eventual full-time professionalism of the program, with Yapp eager to create those habits now.
Theres loads of growth within this squad (left) and being full-time is one part of that. What you need to do with full time is make sure there are really good high-performance behaviours happening and good attitudes," she told reporters.
Weve been working to support those players with the data we share with them around analysis and S and C to drive the standards because getting paid is one thing but then we need to be able to increase that level of training intensity with it."
The introduction of the first full-time female coach to the Wallaroos has led to several players awaiting her influence over their group with excitement.
Its a clean slate for everyone now and I think thats where the curiosity comes from...its about a positive curiosity, it means that theres no complacency," Brumbies and Wallaroos back-rower Siokapesi Palu told Rugby.com.au
Were driving that professionalism so youre either in and youre going 120% or youre out.
(Jo Yapp) seems like someone who wants to make sure we drive that professionalism and its not that we havent had it previously, but it probably wasnt driven the way were starting to identify what its supposed to be like now.
I think once we start acting like top tier teams, youll probably get that from us now."
Theres been an immense impact, shes such a strong individual and she brings high performance. The way she views the game and environment, I think shes already made an impact," fellow backrower and Waratahs captain Piper Duck added.
The vibes are curious, theyre curious for change, opportunity and growth and I think thats going to be really apparent in the next 12 months and leading into the World Cup.
I think when youre playing for your country its such a privilege and honour and weve spoke about what our task is that pressure is a privilege
It should be a competition to pull on those gold jerseys and arent just handed out. I think that level of curiosity and that level of fight is so important. I think we have the Australian way is to have that fighting nature and I really love seeing that throughout the group.
The players understand that the growing funding and resources will lead to a similar rise in expectations.
Wins like against France and Wales in WXV are part of the expectations of a Wallaroos team that wants to be consistently competing with the best in the world.
Weve asked for the funding and investment into the program, weve got it so now its the practical part of putting it into practice," Palu stated
We have to step up and match whats being invested and needs to be a good product the reality is that we now actually have to perform. Were entering a very high-performing environment with new coaching and standards and its exciting to drive that professionalism over the next few years. We always probably were sitting below those top teams and that heart and ticker is what drove us over and got those wins. Now that we have the right resourcing and tools under our belt to perform, its now about doing it and believing it.
Nathan Williamson
The Wallaroos are embracing the 'curious' atmosphere that will await them in camp under new coach Jo Yapp.
Yapp will name her first Wallaroos squad next week as they get together before their Pacific Four opener against Canada on May 11.
Catch every game of Super Rugby Women's LIVE, ad-free and on demand on Stan Sport.
The Wallaroos celebrated a six-year partnership with Cadbury as the 'principal partner', continuing the increase in investment in the squad after an extra $3 million was announced at the start of the season.
These gradual steps are heading towards the eventual full-time professionalism of the program, with Yapp eager to create those habits now.
Theres loads of growth within this squad (left) and being full-time is one part of that. What you need to do with full time is make sure there are really good high-performance behaviours happening and good attitudes," she told reporters.
Weve been working to support those players with the data we share with them around analysis and S and C to drive the standards because getting paid is one thing but then we need to be able to increase that level of training intensity with it."
The introduction of the first full-time female coach to the Wallaroos has led to several players awaiting her influence over their group with excitement.
Its a clean slate for everyone now and I think thats where the curiosity comes from...its about a positive curiosity, it means that theres no complacency," Brumbies and Wallaroos back-rower Siokapesi Palu told Rugby.com.au
Were driving that professionalism so youre either in and youre going 120% or youre out.
(Jo Yapp) seems like someone who wants to make sure we drive that professionalism and its not that we havent had it previously, but it probably wasnt driven the way were starting to identify what its supposed to be like now.
I think once we start acting like top tier teams, youll probably get that from us now."
Theres been an immense impact, shes such a strong individual and she brings high performance. The way she views the game and environment, I think shes already made an impact," fellow backrower and Waratahs captain Piper Duck added.
The vibes are curious, theyre curious for change, opportunity and growth and I think thats going to be really apparent in the next 12 months and leading into the World Cup.
I think when youre playing for your country its such a privilege and honour and weve spoke about what our task is that pressure is a privilege
It should be a competition to pull on those gold jerseys and arent just handed out. I think that level of curiosity and that level of fight is so important. I think we have the Australian way is to have that fighting nature and I really love seeing that throughout the group.
The players understand that the growing funding and resources will lead to a similar rise in expectations.
Wins like against France and Wales in WXV are part of the expectations of a Wallaroos team that wants to be consistently competing with the best in the world.
Weve asked for the funding and investment into the program, weve got it so now its the practical part of putting it into practice," Palu stated
We have to step up and match whats being invested and needs to be a good product the reality is that we now actually have to perform. Were entering a very high-performing environment with new coaching and standards and its exciting to drive that professionalism over the next few years. We always probably were sitting below those top teams and that heart and ticker is what drove us over and got those wins. Now that we have the right resourcing and tools under our belt to perform, its now about doing it and believing it.