Jillaroos rookie Pelite soaking up the experience

Pelite however is no stranger to the international stage or to representing Australia, having won a Gold Medal at the 2016 Rio Olympics with the Rugby Sevens team. But for her first Jillaroos campaign, she was soaking in the experience like any other fresh-faced rookie.

“It was really exciting, definitely unexpected, but it was a very nice call to receive,” Pelite said of getting the phone call from Donald saying she had made the Jillaroos squad.

“I am having the best time (in camp), it’s been really nice from the moment I stepped into camp, all of the girls have been so welcoming, and Brad’s doing an amazing job here bringing all the girls together, and the staff have been very helpful as well.

“I definitely feel more excited for this one [international campaign], just because this is a new bunch of girls and I haven’t built those connections with any of these girls off the field yet, so to come into camp and be a debutant and just be someone who comes in and learns … I am the least experienced here in rugby league, so just to be able to come in and learn of all these girls who have been there and done it before has been a nice journey for me so far.”

A talented back who played both centre and fullback with the Titans this year, Pelite also made her State of Origin debut earlier this year, with good friend and Gold Coast team-mate Karina Brown also part of the Harvey Norman Queensland Maroons squad.

Brown was also involved with the preparations for the Jillaroos before they headed off to England to their home base of York, being invited in by Donald to speak with the current squad of players about her experiences in the green and gold jersey.

“It was so cool, I actually rang Goose after – we have a really good friendship outside of rugby league – and I just said to her it was really nice to hear her reflect on her stories, because we haven’t really done that yet and she hasn’t reflected with me on her past experiences and success with the Jillaroos, so to take a back seat and listen to her journey was really, really nice,” Pelite said.

As this current crop of Jillaroos aim to make their mark, reflecting on the history of the game and respecting the contributions of past players has been a big focus overall, with Pelite a keen student.

“Brad has put a lot of emphasis on the girls getting to know the history, so when you walk into the team room, you are surrounded by all of the past and the culture and we have really dug deep into getting an understanding of that so far,” Pelite said.

“I have really enjoyed that part of it and to be able to see how far the game has come in such a short amount of time.

“I spoke to my past Jillaroo – I reached out to Amie Solomona – and I listened to her stories about what they had to go through just to get out on the field and wear the green and gold jersey and when I look at where we are at now and the path they created for us, it is pretty incredible.

“It’s just nice to be reminded of that all that hardship all those girls went through and they did it for the love of the game.”

The Jillaroos will be in action for their first group game tomorrow against Cook Islands. The Moana feature plenty of experienced talent with Kimiora Breayley-Nati and Kiana Takairangi, both past Kiwi Ferns, named for the match.

The game will take place at LNER Community Stadium, York.