Junee-born Piper Duck has shot to success in the world of rugby union after being drafted to two high-profile competitions only a month apart.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
The 18-year-old will play for the the Rugby 15s Wallaroos A team at the end of this month, followed by the Australian Youth Girls 7s team in December.
"I've actually only been playing union for about three years so it was very overwhelming when I found out I'd made both teams," she said.
"I didn't expect to be making anything so significant so soon on, it's exciting but I'm also nervous."
Duck will first be heading to Fiji on November 14 for the training camp ahead of games on the 18th, 22nd and 26th, then arriving back on Aussie soil on the 27th.
"I haven't actually gone overseas at all before so this will be incredibly exciting on both ends of the trip," she said.
"I will be playing Tonga, New Zealand and Samoa over there so it'll be some tough competition."
As part of the Rugby 7s team, Duck will head to Auckland, New Zealand for the World Schools 7s competition. With camp running from December 8-15 and the tournament held on the 13-14, she said it was a giant learning experience.
"Given that I haven't played Rugby for that long really, I'm so excited to learn from some of the other girls who are more experienced and know a lot more about the game," she said.
"I especially haven't done much of the 15 aside so that will be amazing to learn more about."
Duck has roots in Junee, playing soccer when she was younger, and returning to the swimming club after moving on. With Christmas just around the corner, she is keen to do herself and her family proud.
"Especially for the 7s, if we won the competition it'd be a fantastic Christmas gift, 100 per cent," she said.
It will be a busy end of the year for sportswoman who is also currently in the Super W NSW Waratahs preseason squad.
"I am hoping to have a little bit of downtime between the two competitions and all the travel, but I will definitely keep training and do my best so we make a strong team," she said.
Duck said this is the first step to an exciting future.
"I'm not really 100 per cent sure where I will go to from here, but at this stage I am just stoked to have the opportunity to be involved in this and see where it takes me," she said.