A triple header at Central Coast Stadium already makes for a blockbusting season finale, but for three exciting young debutants, it marks the beginning of their NRLW careers.
The Sydney Roosters have guaranteed a spot in the 2022 NRLW semi-finals, and Head Coach John Strange has taken the opportunity to reward Jada Taylor, Shannon Rose and Angelina Teakaraanga-Katoa with spots in his top seventeen.
Match: Titans v Roosters
Round 5 -
home Team
Titans
6th Position
away Team
Roosters
1st Position
Venue: Industree Group Stadium, Gosford
Jada's Taylor-Made for NRLW Step Up
Jada Taylor made headlines all over the Rugby League world just a few months ago following her stellar performance for the NSW Blues in the Under 19s State of Origin series.
That night she picked up the Nat Dwyer Medal as player of the match, much thanks to her incredible 109-metre try which sealed the result for the Blues, which consequently went viral all over social media.
But the 19-year-old says it's the Red, White and Blue of the Roosters that she says she's most proud of representing.
Taylor: "I'm So Grateful For This Opportunity"
“I was a little bit shocked, to be honest,” Taylor said after being told she would debut.
“My dad, I rang him, and he was pretty excited. He’s always the go-to for everything.
“It’s so special, I wouldn’t want to do it for any other Club. To get to represent the Roosters and my family it’s great.
“I can’t wait for it.”
U19s Womens Origin: Jada Taylor's Incredible 109 Metre Try
It would be easy for any teenager to be overconfident after catching headlines, but the pocket dynamo showed plenty of humility in highlighting the influence of another diminutive fullback - Sam Bremner.
“She’s someone I’ve idolised since I was a little girl,” she said.
“We’ve got such a great veteran here – and she’ll hate me saying that – but she’s a legend of the game, so to even get an opportunity to play is very special and I’m very grateful for it.
“She’s the fullback that every little fullback has ever wanted to be and to be able to even train with her and learn off her, I’m just so grateful for her.
“Issy (Kelly) and Jess (Sergis), I idolised them so much when I was young and to be able to get out there with them and have them protect me out the back is something I’m really looking forward to.”
From Bears to the Big Time, Teakaraanga-Katoa is Building Towards Greatness
Few may have heard of Angelina Teakaraanga-Katoa, but there are plenty of reasons to remember the name of the young, uncompromising forward, who is champing at the bit to take the field at NRLW level.
After a strong season with the North Sydney Bears, where she played a key role in the side claiming the Minor Premiership, Teakaraanga-Katoa was brought to Bondi thanks to the influence of teammates Raecene McGregor and Mya Hill-Moana.
In helping her transition from the second-grade competition to the NRLW, she also now has a chance to line up alongside one of her childhood heroes.
Teakaraanga-Katoa: "This Is What We Train For"
“They’ve been huge,” Teakaraanga-Katoa said.
“To have that kind of spine you had in the Harvey Norman season, it’s a big help there. They’ve talked to me as well; what to expect, how much faster the game is. They’ve been a big help in this transition.
“Zahara Temara was one of my idols when I was little. When I was first growing up and playing rugby, I used to watch her as an 18-year-old.
"She was a big inspiration when she was playing for Australia at a young age, so I’m excited to get out on the field with her."
Making the next step in her fledgling career can be a daunting task, and while there are nerves, Teakaraanga-Katoa says the time is now to make a lasting impression on her fellow debutants and the coaching staff.
“We’ve been training for the past five weeks together and the pre-season,” she said.
“We’re just excited to get our chance, take it with both hands and hopefully try to secure a spot in the future games. We’re excited to put our mark on the team and show the coach what we can do.
“I told my mum first. She was very excited as well, and proud. Overall, I’m a little bit nervous as well, but I’m just keen to get out there.
“It’s a big jump but this is what we train for and this is what we prepare for so I’m pretty proud and grateful to be here.”
Late Bloom No Matter, Rose is Ready for Dream Debut at Home
For 25-year-old Shannon Rose, a debut in the Red, White and Blue might have been hard to envision, however, the strike outside has earned a call-up from Head Coach John Strange after showing strong signs throughout the pre-season and at training.
“He gave me a phone call and I actually didn’t believe it,” Rose said.
“My first words were ‘are you serious?’, but I was absolutely stoked.
“I never saw myself here. I haven’t been playing footy as long as some of the girls but I have no words to describe how amazing it is to be debuting in the NRLW.
“I feel like there were so many things coming into this season that I needed to work on, and I put in the effort to fix a couple of things, so I’m really excited.”
What will make the occasion all the more special for the Berkeley Vale Panthers junior will be taking her first step onto the first-grade stage at Central Coast Stadium in front of a sea of friends and family.
Rose: "I Can't Describe How Amazing This Is"
“There’ll be too many!” she laughed.
“But I said to mum when I started the season knowing that the triple-header was on, that if there was going to one debut game, I would love it to be at home surrounded by friends and family.
"It makes a huge difference having a group of us from the Central Coast that can stick together and we know where our roots have come from.
"It’s great to have a lot of homegrown people around you, it makes you feel a little bit safer in the group. Obviously, Jada Taylor’s out there debuting as well, so that will be exciting.
"But being outside Jess Sergis and having Fressy (Jayme Fressard) on the other wing, it’s really exciting."
