(Reuters) – England captain Sarah Hunter will become the most capped woman in test rugby history on Sunday after being named to play her 138th international against Australia in the World Cup quarter-finals.
The number eight was rested for England’s final pool match against South Africa but returns at the back of the pack for the clash with the Wallaroos in Auckland.
Hunter, who made her test debut against Scotland in 2007, has shared the record with former England team mate Rochelle “Rocky” Clark for the last two weeks.
England coach Simon Middleton, who made 11 changes to his side for Sunday’s last-eight clash, hailed Hunter as a “unique person and captain”.
“The way she conducts herself in everything she does both on and off the field is admirable,” he said.
“Her people skills, ability to lead and communicate with people from all walks of life makes her stand out.”
Hunter, 37, said the lure of playing a World Cup in New Zealand had persuaded her to extend her career through the tournament even after it was postponed for a year because of the COVID pandemic.
“Rugby is the way of life here, it’s everywhere you are,” she said.
“You want to play in the toughest places as an international player and team, there isn’t much tougher prospect than coming across the other side of the world to New Zealand who are current champions and to try and win that trophy.”
Hunter said the growth of the women’s game since she started playing rugby at the turn of the century had been remarkable.
“I didn’t even know there was an England women’s team. I didn’t know probably until I was about 16 and was lucky enough to go on a trip down south to watch them,” she recalled.
“My first cap was at Old Albanians rugby club, now our girls are getting caps at sold-out Kingsholm and Welford Roads. The fact that we have a stand-alone game at Twickenham, it’s just incomparable at times.”
England will be strong favourites to beat Australia on Sunday for a record-extending 29th straight win to secure a place in the semi-finals.
(Reporting by Nick Mulvenney; Editing by Stephen Coates)
