Abbi Church was the comeback saviour for Australia in their World Cup semi-final, with all of her four-try heroics coming out of position.
While starring at fullback for Parramatta and NSW, the 28-year-old was in an unfortunate position at national level, being stuck behind one of the game’s all time greats in three-time Dally M medallist Tamika Upton.
Instead of accepting her fate as a perpetual runner-up for the No.1 jersey, Church pivoted and reinvented herself as an elusive winger.
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“I played a little bit on the wing earlier in my career but it’s probably been five or six years,” she said.
“It’s a hard transition. At fullback you’ve got a lot more freedom.
“You’re stuck in a position a little bit on the wing, different things to think about, different priorities.
“A lot more defensive reads and working and connecting with your centre.
“It took me a little bit through training to transition there with a different thought process.”
Now a priority attacking threat for the Aussies, Church steered the home side to a fifth straight World Cup final with her four-try haul, but just making the squad for the tournament was more than she could have hoped for.
“It was always a big goal of mine to get to wear the green and gold, and I was lucky enough to be able to achieve that last year,” the four-time capped Jillaroo said.
“Then I had my sights set on the World Cup, so it’s always an honour and a privilege to put on the green and gold.”
And no matter what position she’s in, Church is still always looking for any way to break into open space.
The Eels star might doubt her own speed, but it was on full display with her 70 metre runaway final try which secured an Australian spot in the final.
“You’re just trying to look for any little gap that you can squeeze through,” Church said.
“Once I’m through, I’m not the fastest so I’m usually looking left and right, looking for some support.”
With one game to go in the tournament, Church is hoping to return to Parramatta with more than just a World Cup trophy.
“With this experience, I’‘ll be able to take that back to my club side and help a lot of our outside backs,” the 48-game NRLW veteran said.
“I’m learning from the best of the best in their positions as well and they’re helping me every single week so if I can take some learnings out of that and take it back to club land I’ll just help myself.”
