"Eye to Eye host Willie Jackson suggested the reason people don't take women's rugby seriously was due to the perception that women's rugby players were either lesbians or beauty queens. Former Black Fern and Miss Canterbury Melodie Robinson was shocked.

"Who cares what your sexual orientation is?" she asked.

Robinson fronts Friday Night Football, 365 and Prime Rugby and is reputedly the country's first female rugby commentator. Her age and gender provide a unique perspective on what's traditionally been a male dominated sector. Jackson admitted his own brother refuses to listen to female rugby commentators. "

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"''The number of girls put together wouldn't form a team,'' Mr Malyon said of scarce junior numbers in Sydney. Ariana is also exceptional in ability; she scored more than 100 tries against the boys in under 7s and 8s. The Casula Cougars halfback from Badgerys Creek was simply the best candidate to represent Parramatta. But the halfback's career is under threat as mixed rugby ends at under-12s and women's rugby starts at under-16s. She's a devoted rugby player and will go stir crazy,'' said Mr Malyon, adding the family were rugby nuts'' and there was talk of approaching Rugby NSW to make an exception for her. Parramatta might also train her as a referee. Ariana said: ``I've taken up skateboarding and will play soccer but I don't want to stop playing rugby.'' "

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