Both women have been named in the Australian Jillaroos rugby league squad to tour Samoa in two weeks. Rebecca was a member of the 2006 Australian Women’s Rugby Union World Cup side as a hard-running centre, while Julie has represented her country in Oztag.

After having time away from sport to have a baby last September, Rebecca, pictured at left, was approached at the annual Aboriginal knockout tournament to trial for the Indigenous All Stars, along with Julie.

State selection quickly followed their first year of competitive rugby league and they found themselves running onto Suncorp Stadium before State of Origin I.

‘‘It really is a cauldron atmosphere, and we were as unpopular as the men’s side,’’ Rebecca said.

The Jillaroos will play the Samoan Patrons XIII on Tuesday then a Test against Fetu Samoa the following Saturday.

All the Jillaroos will be eager to impress to earn a spot for the clash with the world champions, the New Zealand Kiwi Ferns, on October 15 on the Gold Coast.

The Samoan and Kiwi matches are part of a broader plan to develop players for the 2013 World Cup.

Rebecca, who is the wife of former Knight and now Central Newcastle skipper Michael Young, plans to call on her big-game rugby experience as she prepares to pull on the Jillaroo jersey for the first time.

Both girls play for Redfern in the Sydney Metro Women’s Rugby League. Rebecca said playing with Julie for Australia will make the occasion extra special.

‘‘Coming from a personal training background Julie works me extra hard in training,’’ she said.

‘‘I’ve moved from centre in union to front row in league, but I don’t mind a bit. I just enjoy the game.’’

Julie has a long history of refereeing in the Newcastle Rugby League.

The slightly built hooker has been unable to play club footy with Redfern due to work commitments and has instead undergone her own preparation with Albion Park footballer Sean Jenkins.

‘‘I basically just practise tackling one of the guys who plays in the Illawarra competition,’’ Julie said.

‘‘I just ask him to run at me and because he’s a forward he’s one of the bigger guys, so it gives me good practice.’’