Winging her way to a new Origin position
After two years playing on the wing for the Harvey Norman NSW Sky Blues Yasmin Clydsdale will start in the second row for Game One on Thursday at Sydney’s CommBank Stadium.
It is causing her no stress at all as, in a way, she’s coming home.
She was in the Sydney Roosters back row when they won the 2021 NRLW Premiership over St George Illawarra, and she plays there for both her Harvey Norman NSW Premiership club and her current NRLW club – the Newcastle Knights.
So how did a predominantly edge forward play on the wing?
“Originally when I started playing Rugby League (from Rugby Sevens) I filled in on the wing for the Central Coast Roosters. I came late in the season and they had an injury in their backline,” Clydsdale told nswrl.com.au
“It was a bit of luck how that all happened, and it was the position that needed to be filled in the Sky Blues squad, so I took the opportunity with both hands and went for it.
“I don’t actually play wing at club level but it was whatever the Origin team needed at the time.”
They might seem like polar opposites on paper, but Clydsdale has learnt to incorporate some of her wing skills into her back row play.
“Definitely a bit more agility and as an ex-winger you get that kind of vision where you see a lot more of the field,” she said.
“In the middle you don’t usually notice that much but I think that’s what being out on the wing has brought to my second row play.”
After making 11 tackles in 2021 and six in 2022, Clydsdale is expecting her body to be a lot more sore after Game One of the 2023 Ampol State of Origin series.
“I am because I know I’ll be making far more tackles than I did on the wing.
“But playing back row for the Sydney Roosters, the Knights and the Jillaroos as well, has made me ready to take this step of being an Origin back rower.”
No matter what number is on her jersey, Clydsdale knows she has the support of her students at Scone Grammar high school, where she teaches Physical Health and Education.
“They’re amazing kids but I think they do love it when I go away to different tournaments because I come to school with all the gear and give it out,” she said.
