- Video
-
Club Roar
Captured a great grassroots sporting moment? We want to see it!Content Collections
The Roar Community
- Join
- Login
Stephanie Rice declared her comeback from injury was going better than expected after pushing reigning world butterfly champion Jess Schipper to the limit at the national titles in Sydney.
Schipper (2:07.78) claimed her seventh consecutive 200m butterfly title but only after holding off a fierce late challenge from Rice (2:07.87).
Triple Olympic gold medallist Rice is without a title at nationals, her first major meet since returning from shoulder surgery last year, but has three second places after finishing runner-up to Alicia Coutts in the 100 fly and 200IM on Saturday.
“At the start of the week I was a bit disappointed, moreso with my times, I thought I would be going faster,” Rice said.
“But looking back on my preparation, I only had surgery 6-7 months ago, I am a bit further in front that I should be.
“… I am a bit disappointed with the time, I went 2:08 in training the other day, 2:07 is not as quick as I would have liked.”
Schipper was relieved to get another title under her belt after she was disappointed with a third placing in the 100 fly final.
“It’s been one hell of a tough week for me and not getting the results I want but to come home with a spot at the world championships tonight, that’s what I was after,” Schipper said.
Meanwhile Rice weighed in on speculation her Wallabies boyfriend Quade Cooper could make a switch to the NRL with Brisbane under new manager Khoder Nasser.
“I haven’t really talked to him about anything to do with the Broncos,” Rice said of Cooper, who is in South Africa with the Queensland Reds.
“I highly doubt it. He’s a fantastic union player so that’s where he should stay.
“It’s actually my baby’s birthday today. So happy birthday to him in South Africa.”