Kylie Hilder will be part of another piece of women’s rugby league history this weekend.
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The 42-year-old CRL Newcastle representative, who has recovered from a medial ligament strain suffered three months ago, joins her Sydney Roosters squad for the first ever NRL Women’s Premiership fixture.
The Roosters host the New Zealand Warriors at ANZ Stadium on Saturday (3:05pm) and Hilder said the recently released draw had provided both teams with a unique opportunity.
“Absolutely, it’s special to be part of the first game,” Hilder told the Newcastle Herald.
“And it’s good we’re still in Sydney because at one stage there was a chance we’d have to travel to New Zealand for it. The boys [Roosters] are playing back at Allianz Stadium, and even though it would have been ideal to play together, we’re just really excited.
“We’ve been training for a while now so we just want to get out there and play.”
Hilder, who has Newcastle teammate Isabelle Kelly at the Roosters along with Upper Hunter teenager Brydie Parker, said she expects a “physical” encounter against the Warriors.
Elsewhere and St George-Illawarra travel to Brisbane on Sunday (1:45pm) to meet the Broncos at Suncorp Stadium in a carbon copy of the following men’s finals match.
All four NRL Women’s Premiership teams are expected to be released on Tuesday.
