RIKEYA Horne thought it was a prank call. An Australian rep call-up at 18 years of age, the only player in the squad of 15 not an incumbent Jillaroo – it seemed too good to be true.
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But the voice on the other end of the phone was not that of a prankster, it belonged to Australian coach Brad Donald confirming her ticket to the Gold coast for this weekend’s Commonwealth Championship.
The nine-a-side tournament will act as a lead-in to next month’s Commonwealth Games and see Horne wear Jillaroos colours for the first time.
The Corrimal Cougars star admits she’s still pinching herself.
“I was in shock when I got the call, I didn’t know if it was even real,” Horne said.
“It was pretty much a 30-second conversation and [Donald] said ‘would you be able to play in the Commonwealth Championships?’
“I said ‘ah yes absolutely’. It came out of nowhere but it’s really exciting.
“It’s been my dream to play for Australia and being 18, not many 18-year-old’s get the opportunity. I would never have expected to play for Australia this young.
“I was in the NSW Pathways squad [last year] but I didn’t make the NSW team so jumping straight to the Australian team feels pretty crazy.
“I feel like there’s not much pressure on me because no one really knows me so I’m just going to do the best I can and learn as much as possible.”
Horne’s first national selection followed her performance at the first NRL women’s training camp a fortnight ago.
The camp – that also included Berkeley star Brittany Constable – saw 52 players push their case for the 40 contracts on offer for the inaugural NRL women’s league later this year.
It allowed Horne to display the speed and skill that saw her bag 20 tries in 10 games in Corrimal’s undefeated premiership season in 2017.
“We did a lot of testing, fitness, agility, speed and that sort of thing,” she said.
“It was pretty tough but, being with all the girls that play for Australia, you really push to keep up with them.
“It was really good just being in that environment with all those girls who do play for Australia and really feed off their energy and experience.”
Horne will also be looking to join Illawarra products Kezie Apps, Sam Bremner and Maddie Studdon on the NRL stage later this year.
“The top 40 will get first priority for those clubs so if I could make that list it would be amazing,” Horne said.
“Women’s rugby league has evolved so much just in the last year, I don’t think anyone would have expected it to be as big as it is now.
“It’s exciting and I really want to be a part of it.”
Mitch Jennings
Sports writer. Sport is my passion, rugby league my first love.
Sports writer. Sport is my passion, rugby league my first love.
