Millie Boyle likely to miss Super W season through injury

Rugby Australia revealed on the weekend that Boyle is expected to miss a full season in the Rugby Super W competition due to a bulging disc in her spine.

Boyle, who this year became a dual international as both a Wallaroo and Jillaroo for respective national Tests had already missed a lot of the 2018 season after a shoulder reconstruction.

Her Queensland Reds club is hopeful for a swift recovery, but the team are also bracing for the worst outcome ahead of the 2020 season.

"I think we're just going ton plan on her not being available really," Reds coach Moana Virtue told rugby.com.au of Boyle's recovery.

"They say maybe the last game but that's if everything goes right.

"You never want anyone to play that's not 100 per cent - it's not fair on her, it's not fair on the team."

Virtue said Millie wasn't the only injury the Reds were facing for the coming season, but she was hopeful newcomers could step in to try and fill the boots.

"But injuries happen and when you come from clubland, you're used to injuries happening, so I'm resilient to that," Virtue told the national body website.

"We'll deal with it, there's nothing I can do about it, just move on and try and give someone else an opportunity.

Boyle is no stranger to recovery downtime, but it certainly didn't stop her coming back stronger than ever after a shoulder reconstruction at the start of 2018.

At that time she said it had been more mentally draining than anything to miss play, but has also kept a positive outlook saying that time wouldn't feel like much in future.

2019 has been a meteoric rise for the Cobargo export, who tried out rugby league nationals on a whimsy, but earning herself a call up to the NSW Origin side, which led to her selection for the Broncos in the NRLW where they went on to win 30-6 over the Kezie Apps-led St George Illawarra Dragons.

The Origin appearance also qualified her for national selection, resulting in a Jillaroos call up just weeks after making a return to league.

However, she also kept up appearances in union including four Tests for the Wallaroos and was also rewarded with vice-captaincy for the team's second test against Japan.

Boyle had previously said there is very little overlap between the two codes and she hoped to continue with both into the future.

With all things going well with the recovery, Boyle might see some late-stage play in the Super W comp, but league officials are hopeful she will be fit and ready ahead of any league commitments later in the year.