Auckland’s best under-18 players will be part of a historic day for women’s rugby league when they feature in the North v South Region of Origin curtain-raiser to the first-ever standalone NRLW match at Mount Smart Stadium today.
The Warriors play the St George Illawarra Dragons in the main game (3.15pm kick-off) with the girls' Region of Origin clash starting at 1.30pm.
Auckland Rugby League CEO Greg Whaiapu said it was of huge significance for the regional match to be part of such a big day involving the Warriors' NRLW side.
“These girls in the North and South sides are the future of women’s league in New Zealand, so it’s fitting they are part of such a momentous occasion,” Whaiapu said.
“The inclusion of girls’ grades for the 2019 Region of Origin series is the latest step in our plan for the female game in Auckland and comes as we experience growth in the girls’ grades at club level and increased opportunities on the rep scene via Auckland Vulcans women’s and age-grade teams.”
Since the introduction of girls' club grades in 2017 the competitions have experienced year-on-year growth.
From 12 teams in the first season to 19 last year, the Auckland Rugby League had 34 girls’ teams spread across four different grades in 2019.
At senior level the Auckland Vulcans again took part in the NZRL national women’s tournament in July while in October Auckland Vulcans under-14 and under-18 teams will travel down to Huntly to take on their Waikato counterparts in what has now become an annual fixture on the calendar.
UNDER-18 REGION OF ORIGIN
SOUTH
1 Melvina Weilert
2 Kahlia Pai
3 Daumavia Herewini
4 Shina Ugapo
5 Avery Carmont
6 Freesia Pokaia
7 Jayden Rogers
8 Jaydene Reupena
9 Summer Fletcher
10 Tenneessee Ulaula-Ieremia
11 Xanthia Fonoti
12 Naumai-Aaria Wall
13 Muamai Setefano
14 Cilia-Marie Po’e
15 Lotu Pangataia
16 Heaven-lee Young
17 Paige Asiata
18 Faustina Mikaele
NORTH
1 Alayna Kamuhemu
2 Brooklyn Temu
3 Harmony Christie
4 Jayme Latu
5 Jenna Mamea
6 Kaiyah Atai
7 Keira Sekene
8 Pearl Tuitama
9 Nalani Ngamu
10 Rowena Meleisea-Koonwaiyou
11 Maraea Ah Kuoi-Atmore
12 Mia Holo
13 Myah Skipps
14 Grace Nee
15 Honor Wilson
16 Mya Hill-Moana
17 Leah Rhys-Toka
18 Nga Mako Totorewa
