Canberra coach Dan Hawke looks to help turn ACT Brumbies into Super W powerhouse

Now the challenge is keeping this group together to fuel coach Dan Hawke's desire to turn the ACT Brumbies into a women's rugby union superpower.

Hawke's Canberra Presidents XV outfit on tired legs fell 41-5 to Sydney Gold in their Chikarovski Cup clash at Forshaw Rugby Park on Sunday.

For the second time in as many days Canberra were cruelled by their own inability to exit their 22 against a vastly-more experienced opposition.

But Hawke is taking baby steps with a new group which had two training sessions together, as he looks to help turn the region's women's pathway into a genuine elite program.

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"A lot of these girls are 18 or 19, competing against seasoned Sydney players who are either Wallaroos or play for NSW in Super W," Hawke said.

"We've got a group of kids going against them, trying their best, but there is so much detail missing. We've got nine debutants at representative level.

"[Nikki] was awesome, she's going to be very good. She's in her first year of proper rugby, she stood out in the City versus Country game. Her service from halfback and her speed of play changes the whole dynamic in attack.

"This is [Papalii's] second year of rugby so she is still very raw, but she is so eager to learn, she was really good today.

"Gabby Peterson is going to be a Wallaroo one day. Her desire to learn is that of an elite men's player. She brings a notebook to every single thing, asks for feedback in every single session and game, wants to go through video."

Canberra will round out their campaign against NSW Country at Bathurst's Charles Sturt University on Saturday.

"It's just about scaffolding so we can add to the existing group of Super W players with these young girls, and try to replicate the men's success so we can make the Brumbies a superpower in the women's competition as well," Hawke said.