Captaining the Auckland Women’s sevens team has been a roller coaster for Charlotte Scanlan over the past two months.

The 28-year-old was handed the leadership duties after four seasons in the Auckland team, and while the team is in a good place heading into this weekend’s Nationals, it has been an interesting road.

“We’d played the weekend before Regionals and finished second. Then at Regionals other teams had Black Ferns players back and I think we were intimidated,” said Scanlan.

“Basic things we knew how to do, we weren’t doing and we couldn’t pick our heads up. It was a confidence thing. As a captain it was a learning curve for me, I had to channel my frustrations and try to lead positively.”

The Auckland Women managed to qualify for Nationals, despite not picking up a win their superior points difference gave them the fifth place position and the nationals berth.

“Our senior players met after that weekend and we agreed that’s not how you respect the Auckland jersey. Our union is a powerhouse, we just had a bad day at the office.”

Hard work over the past month has proved that the outing at Regionals was an anomaly, as the team made the final of the Provincial Sevens on Saturday, and only narrowly lost to defending National Champions Manawatu, 12-10.

The team opened the day with a 24-0 victory over North Harbour, beat home team Bay of Plenty 20-12 and Wellington 24-0. Their semi-final saw a 20-10 win over Canterbury.

“Saturday showed how hard everyone has been working. It showed in the preparation and recovery. The team realised sevens is a long game and you can comeback. We played well, we were fearless,” said Scanlan.

The return of Black Ferns Sevens players Niall Williams and Theresa Fitzpatrick helps both on and off the field.

“Those sorts of players give a confidence boost to everyone. You can see others have the confidence to play to their potential and don’t hold back because of it,” said Scanlan.

The big job is this weekend, as Auckland hope to claim the Nationals Sevens title they won last in 2015.

“The culture at the moment is awesome, we are coming off a high and want to improve.”

A busy summer of rugby doesn’t stop this weekend for Scanlan, as she then turns her focus to Nines and trialing for the Kiwi Ferns.

Beyond that, the taste of captaincy has given Scanlan a thirst to improve and grow the game.

“We have had a lot of young players in our squad and as captain I have been more vocal in what I am doing and why, hoping to develop them and reiterate what you need to do to improve. 

The Auckland team for Nationals will be named tomorrow.