Now in her fourth season at the Sydney Roosters, halfback Zahara Temara has her eyes firmly set on holding aloft the Club's first NRLW Premiership trophy.
A member of the inaugural Sydney Roosters NRLW squad in 2018 - and finishing the year as the side's Player of the Year - the dynamic half is right at home in the Red, White and Blue and more determined than ever to take out the 2021 Premiership.
Now back at Roosters HQ in preparation for the season, Temara says that the first week of pre-season has been an enjoyable albeit challenging one under newly-appointed Head Coach John Strange.
“I’ve been waiting for ages to wear this jersey again. I love this Club and I love this jersey so I can’t wait to get out on the field,” she beamed.
Zahara: "I'm Excited to See What We Can Do"
“It would mean so much. It’s on top of my list. I know it’s a lot of our girls’ goals, and it’s definitely one of mine. They want to bring the cup home.
“It’s been hard in a way learning some of the girls’ names and some of the moves, but it’s been a really good first week of training.
“He was our assistant last season so I’m familiar with Strangey. He’s an excellent coach and I’m going to enjoy growing with him during the season and pre-season.”
The chance to play with a squad filled with a balanced roster of representative talent and exciting, talented youth has Zahara primed to pull on the Tricolours once more.
Her excitement has grown even more so now that the side includes younger sister and Premiership-winner Chante from Brisbane.
I’ve been waiting for ages to wear this jersey again. I love this Club and I love this jersey so I can’t wait to get out on the field.
Zahara Temara Sydney Roosters Halfback
Zahara admitted to influencing her sister's decision to move down south become a reality, and is more than pleased to see it eventuate.
“I did, I’m not going to lie,” she laughed.
“I didn’t put too much pressure on her, I wanted her to choose. But I’m very happy she’s seen the light and come down here with us.
“The strike that we have in the backline is crazy. I’m really excited to be playing with them again, and I’m really excited to see what we can do in the season.
“They have a great development pathway and if we can keep that going it will be awesome for us in the future. It’s very important, that’s how great clubs succeed.”
According to the Queensland Origin and Jillaroos representative, the kick-off for the 2021 season doesn't get much better than a Grand Final rematch against fierce rivals in the Brisbane Broncos in the opening round.
In fact, the enthusiasm around the upcoming year is hard to quell for the usually softly spoken halfback, who also cited the Round 3 Double Header with the NRL side at the Sydney Cricket Ground as another highlight in the expanded competition.
NRLW Rewind: Zahara Temara's Scintillating Skill
“I can’t wait to verse them,” she stated.
“We’ve versed them in two Grand Finals now and both we’ve lost. I’m very excited and I know the girls are too.
“It’s great for the game. It’s just going to make us better as well with more girls playing and getting the opportunity to play in the NRLW.
“We haven’t had a double header since 2018 and we haven’t played at the SCG either. I can’t wait to play with our boys, I can’t wait to watch them. It’s going to be a great day for the Club.
“It’s really great that the NRL have introduced three more teams. You never know, we might end up like the boys with sixteen teams in the future.”
