How Roos navigates her new role as Bok Women flyhalf

IN THE SPOTLIGHT: There is very little doubt that the Springbok Women face one of their toughest assignments this weekend.

However, utility back Nadine Roos does not doubt that her team’s systems and plans can produce a competitive performance against Australia at the Athlone Stadium on Saturday.

Roos, who has played in 13 HSBC SVNS tournaments, where she has scored 244 points for the Springbok Women’s Sevens team, as well as two World Cup Sevens tournaments before she played in the 2024 Olympic Games in Paris, returned to the 15 a-side set-up in August.

The 28-year-old is no stranger to the longer format having played during the World Cup in New Zealand and producing a masterclass display at fullback.

However, this time she has been given the No.10 jersey.

#WATCH all the @WXVRugby Round One Highlights #rugby #sports #WomenInSport #WomenInRugby @WallaroosRugby @BlackFerns @WomenBoks @RedRosesRugby https://t.co/mpA1w4cwOQ

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Roos played flyhalf against Spain and Japan in the WXV 2 opener and revealed that not being afraid to ask questions has made the transition a little less daunting.

“In the field, I try to put myself in pressurized difficult positions and the coaches also put pressure on you to talk and be loud; let everyone know exactly what we want to play and what we want to execute on the field,” Roos told @rugby365com.

“For me when I struggle I have to ask questions in order for me to understand.

“It looks like dumb questions but it’s not dumb, you just ask because you want to see a clear picture in the next phase and the next phase”

Roos revealed that her fellow backline players have helped her to adapt to her new positions.

“As the driver on the field, the people around you give you guidance and it is important that you listen as well.

“The team have been really supportive especially the nine [Tayla Kinsey]  and 15 [Libbie Janse van Rensburg]. It really helps a lot.”

#NEWS: Loads of movements after @WXVRugby Round One! https://t.co/vB8ZYfGekM

— rugby365.com (@rugby365com) September 30, 2024

Turning her attention to this weekend’s match against Australia, Roos admitted it’s going to be physical.

The Springbok Women head into the fixture at the back of a 31-24 win over Japan Women, while the Wallaroos are fresh from a 37-5 victory over Wales.

“They are going to be very physical,” Roos said ahead of the clash against the seventh-ranked side.

“They mauled Wales, so I do think they are going to try to maul us because against Japan our maul defence was an area which the opposition exploited.

“Wallaroos will try to run with the backline as well. Japan got around us a little bit, but we have looked at it and will do better to stop their momentum.”

She added: “They have some good kickers who can identify space quite well and will try to pin us back into our half with their long kicking game.

“But we came up with a plan to cover that and how we will counterattack from there.”

The Springbok Women are set to name their team to face Australia Women on Thursday.