I think its great Rachel is playing in Auckland!
She's from NSW, so it isn't home for her, and she doesn't like the heat and has never done well there.
She also would not have got direct entry where as she does in Auckland, so that gives opportunity for one more Aussie to gain some valuable experience.
I wish Evie would do the same! She could have squeaked into Auckland main draw, and then someone else could take her place in Gold Coast.
Only Danielle Jones and Renne Stubbs have played in Auckland since it was scheduled before the Australian Open and think that its about time more did because its generally an easy field and in the last decade has given heaps of players there first title! Like Maruska, Tu, Helgeson etc.