Outgoing Wallaroos captain Shannon Parry couldn’t have been happier for her side, who delivered a 22-5 drubbing of Fijiana in Sydney on Saturday night.
It was a dominant showing from the home side, who led 10-0 at the half time break and only extended that lead in the second half.
As the siren sounded, the Wallaroos’ players embraced Parry who couldn’t hold back tears.
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A post-match presentation was made by outgoing Rugby Australia CEO Andy Marinos and in bizarre scenes, the lights suddenly went out at the Sydney Football Stadium.
“Shannon, well done tonight,” Marinos said.
“A fantastic victory leading the ladies to a great win, but this is more about your moment.
“An Olympic gold medalist, four World Cups – let’s not let the lights distract us – but we just wanted to say on behalf of the whole rugby community, Rugby Australia, thank you.
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“Thank you for your contribution to the game, what you’ve done, you’ve carried yourself on and off the field with conviction.
“We’re very proud of you and we just want to wish you all the best with your next chapter. We’re going to see you on the sideline as a coach in the not-too-distant future.”
Cecilia Smith strike first for the Wallaroos
Parry was lifted onto the shoulders of her teammates who formed a guard of honour as she left the field for the final time.
Parry spoke with Stan Sport’s Morgan Turinui afterwards, who said there were “plenty of emotions” at the time.
“It’s been a long ride for the past 13 years,” she said.
“The squad is in really good shape and I’m looking forward to being a spectator now on the sidelines.”
Parry was joined by her parents, brother and husband for the moment.
Her mother wiped tears away while Parry’s father said he was “very proud” of his daughter’s efforts.
“It’s been a long journey,” he said.
Parry said she was satisfied that now is the right time to step away. She’ll hand the reins over to Piper Duck, who was announced as the new captain ahead of the Test.
Parry featured heavily in her final 80-minute contest, and nearly got her hands on the ball at the death to score.
Cecilia Smith opened the scoring for the Wallaroos off the back of a bursting run from Ash Marsters and just 15 minutes later, it was Maya Stewart who extended the lead.
Marsters and Stewart combined again early in the second half to score the third try of the night.
Wallaroos score back-to-back tries
The Wallaroos kept Fijiana scoreless until the 60th minute when the visitors finally scored courtesy of a Bitila Tawake try.
Another piece of Wallaroos brilliance set Ivania Wong up for the final try of the match in the 70th minute.
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