Central West Bullettes to face Melbourne Rebels in pre-season trial at Cootamundra

The Blue Bullettes will take on Rebels at Cootamundra, the first time the Central West women's representative team has played a Super W outfit.

Bathurst Bulldogs star Mel Waterford believes the match will be a fantastic experience for all the players involved.

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"I think the girls will surprise themselves by playing quite well against them," she said.

"It'll be a big learning curve and it'll be a tough game but I think we'll be able to hold our own in parts of it because there are some really talented girls out this way.

"It'll definitely be a tough game and I'm not expecting us to have it easy by any means but I think it'll be a great experience and we'll have a good shot."

Training has been a challenge for the team, however, with such large distances between towns meaning the Blue Bullettes have been limited in their preparations.

But they still have managed to string some sessions together.

"We've had a few chances to get together," she said.

"Logistically, it's quite difficult to get us all in the one spot because we do have such a large zone.

"We've been lucky enough to have a few Sunday sessions together. The girls have committed to put in a few hours and we've managed to keep a lot of last year's squad together, which has helped with that consistency."

Women's rugby has grown massively in six years, which is a testament to the work the Central West Rugby Union (CWRU) board has put in according to Waterford.

"The growth of women's rugby in the Central West definitely has a lot to do with the Central West board and [CEO] Matt Tink, considering how much emphasis they've put into not just the men's program but the women's program," she said.

Saturday's match will get underway from 2.30pm at the Cootamundra Rugby Club.

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