EARLY starts, skipping lunch breaks and plenty of kilometres in the car have been Harriet Elleman's journey to the Super W finals this season.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
But months of hard work and tri-weekly trips to Canberra to keep her rugby dream alive have been put on hold.
Bomadrry product Elleman and her ACT teammates were set to play Queensland in the semi-finals of the competition on Saturday.
After initially getting the go ahead despite a ban on community rugby, including team training, plans changed on Tuesday as the coronavirus crisis develops.
While disappointed to miss out the 26-year-old is confident the right call was made.
"It is sad but I do think it is in the best interest for the players and coaching staff to have a step back," Elleman said.
"We are still going to be training, having running programs and gym programs to complete in our own time and will be held accountable.
"We're looking towards May."
The Reds scored a 24-12 win in Canberra last week but Elleman was confident they would be able to turn the tables.
However, the Brumbies, which also features Narrawallee's Grace Sullivan, may not get the chance to.
Related content: Shoals' season won't kick-off until at least June
It is hoped the season can resume in May but if not the undefeated NSW Waratahs will be named victors.
There are plenty of former Southern Inland players in the side but Elleman has put in plenty of hard yards to play the game while still based in Wagga.
The 26-year-old has been starting work earlier and eating lunch at her desk to make up for time needed to leave early for training sessions on Monday, Wednesday and Friday in Canberra.
However she believes the sacrifices are worthwhile after another good season.
"It has been really hard physically, along with financially, but I've have an amazing team to support me," the Nowra High School alumna said.
"Our trainings have been awesome."
Elleman is also looking to pass on her skills to some of the region's up and coming rugby talent.
Southern Inland are introducing a girls tackle competition for the first time this year.
Elleman has put her name up to coach one of the sides and was part of a training session with rugby sevens gold medallist Alicia Lucas, nee Quirk on Saturday.
She was thrilled with the response.
"It was so awesome to see some many young girls looking to play rugby or want to improve their skills," Elleman said.