2023 Pacific Championship: Australian Jillaroos v Kiwi Ferns; Where: Queensland Country Bank Stadium, Townsville; When: Saturday, 8pm; Coverage: Live on Sky Sport 3;
Kiwi Ferns coach Ricky Henry believes he has the perfect leadership package in naming co-captains for the 2023 Pacific Championship.
Former Dally M winner Raecene McGregor and 2020 Young New Zealander of the Year Georgia Hale will share the captaincy when the Kiwi Ferns kick off their campaign against the Jillaroos – a rematch of last year’s Rugby League World Cup final won by Australia 54-4 – in Townsville on Saturday night.
The experienced pair will take over from Kiwi Ferns great Krystal Rota who announced her retirement last month.
Crowned the best player in the NRLW last year, McGregor will run the side from half-back, with her Dragons halves partner and former Olympic sevens champion Tyla Nathan-Wong, named to make her Kiwi Ferns debut off the bench.
NZRL
Georgia Hale and Raecene McGregor will share the captaincy of the Kiwi Ferns.
The Dragons playmaker and skipper has always craved the opportunity to captain her country and attributes her leadership skills to her mother, Glenys, who instilled in her the notion of being respectful and kind to other people.
“If you want to be treated a certain way, treat them that way,” McGregor said of her mother’s advice.
A superstar in the NRLW, McGregor, 25, believes she is more than ready to lead the Kiwi Ferns.
“Knowing that I’ve come into myself a little more and gained experience through age too,” she said.
Like McGregor, Hale, a tough and uncompromising lock who also offers utility value to the squad, has leadership experience at the NRLW level.
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Former Kiwi Ferns captain Krystal Rota announced her retirement last month.
She led the Gold Coast Titans in their Grand Final defeat to the Newcastle Knights this year and was the Warriors’ captain in 2019.
Hale, 28, made her Kiwis debut back in 2015 and will use her experience to help ease Henry’s 12 debutantes into test match football.
“The most important thing for me to do on this tour is grow the connection of our team, so we can bring our culture to life, which is what we pride ourselves on. It’s our superpower, our inner strength,” Hale said.
Henry is optimistic the McGregor and Hale combination can lead the Kiwi Ferns through until the 2025 Rugby League World Cup.
He said the pair would lead in their own styles.
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Former Black Ferns Sevens star Tyla Nathan-Wong will make her international rugby league debut off the bench.
“People want to play with her or play for her, which says a lot and that’s coaches and staff too. We saw that in the Titans,” Henry said of Hale.
“Raecene has got the kicks, the lovely pass, the game IQ and her leadership on the field is what the team trust,” he said. “ She’s been a trailblazer of the women’s game.
“Players look to her to come up with the big play or the right play on the field and she expects the best of people on and off the field,” Henry said of McGregor.
“They’ve both got experience that can’t be matched.”
Centre Shanice Parker and prop Mya Hill-Moana have also been selected to support Hale and McGregor as part of a wider leadership team.
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Kiwi Ferns head coach Ricky Henry has opted for a shared captaincy for the 2023 Pacific Championship.
Coach Henry said Saturday’s team has been picked with an eye toward the future but remains adamant it is also the best team to win in 2023. He said victories will help the young side develop.
Henry’s new-look team for the opening match of the Pacific Championship features nine new faces, including NRLW Rookie of the Year Annessa Biddle (winger), who enjoyed an incredible first season for the Cronulla Sharks, also taking out players player of the year at the club.
Her Sharks teammate Brooke Anderson (hooker) will also be on debut as she fills the huge hole left by Rota’s retirement.
Raiders five-eighth Ashleigh Quinlan and West Tigers winger Leianne Tufaga will also earn their first caps for the New Zealanders.
The starting pack, aside from Anderson and prop Angelina Teakaraanga-Katoa, all have test experience, but the bench of Nathan-Wong, Najvada Georga, Jasmine Fogavini and Amelia Pasikala will all be on Kiwi Ferns’ debut.
The Kiwi Ferns have not beaten the Australians since 2016.
Kiwi Ferns: Apii Nicholls, Annessa Biddle*, Shanice Parker, Mele Hufanga, Leianne Tufaga*, Ashleigh Quinlan*, Raecene McGregor (cc); Mya Hill-Moana, Brooke Anderson*, Angelina Teakaraanga-Katoa*, Otesa Pule, Laishon Albert-Jones, Georgia Hale (cc). Interchange: Tyla Nathan-Wong*, Najvada Georga*, Jasmine Fogavini*, Amelia Pasikala*; Reserves: Abigail Roache, Cheyelle Robins-Reti*, Tiana Davison*, Capri Paekau*. (* denotes new cap)
Jillaroos: Tamika Upton*, Jaime Chapman, Jess Sergis, Isabelle Kelly, Julia Robinson, Tarryn Aiken, Ali Brigginshaw (c), Shannon Mato, Keeley Davis, Jess Elliston*, Kezie Apps (c), Olivia Kernick, Simaima Taufa; Interchange: Emma Tonegato, Caitlan Johnston, Kennedy Cherrington, Shaylee Bent; Reserves: Lauren Brown, Emma Manzelmann, Keilee Joseph.(* denotes new cap)
Kiwi Ferns’ Pacific Championship draw
October 14: v Australia, Townsville.
October 21: v Tonga, Eden Park.
October 28: v Australia, Melbourne.
