The Columba College touch player has been named in the Touch Blacks open women’s team to compete in the transtasman series against Australia later this month.
The 17-year-old is part of a strong Otago contingent named among the Touch Blacks squads and support staff this season.
Hamish Faulks has been named in the men’s side, where Toni Wall will serve as manager, and Molly Wheeley has been selected in the mixed team, who will be coached by Damian Burden.
They will play in the transtasman series against Australia in Christchurch at Anzac weekend — the first home games for the Touch Blacks since 2018.
Sinclair has represented New Zealand twice at the under-16 level, but never had the chance to play internationally.
Testing herself against Australia was one of the things she was looking forward to the most.
"Probably just the ability to play someone international for the first time," Sinclair said.
"Also since it is down south, having my family and friends being able to come up to that, especially because lots of things are up north."
Sinclair started playing touch at primary school, but began taking the sport more seriously at Columba under the tutelage of director of sport Dayna Turnbull.
Turnbull was previously the captain of the Touch Blacks, and attended multiple World Cups, and had been a great sounding board, Sinclair said.
Sinclair and Wheeley are the only players from the South Island in their respective teams.
"It’s pretty good that Otago’s getting a bit of representation," Sinclair said.
Otago’s rising talent is also well represented across New Zealand teams to play in the Asia Youth Pacific Cup in Queensland next month.
Sinclair has also been selected in the under-18 girls’ team alongside Ruby Fox, Meg Adams and Kyla Ashton. Harlin Puna has been selected for under-18 boys’.
Alex Piebenga has been named in the under-20 men’s team, Asha Murphy and Pip Eason are in the under-20 women’s and Neve Graamans, Luana Ashton and Aimee Johnson (training partner) have been named in the under-20 mixed.
Jarrod Powell is the assistant coach of the girls’ under-18 and Emma Puna will serve as team manager for the under-20 mixed.
