Three NSW-based players have been honoured by being named in the 2024 NRL Women’s National Championships ‘Team of the Tournament’.
NSW City second rower Leilani Wilson (above right) and halfback Jodeci Nicholson (left) were selected alongside NSW Country back rower Zali Waihape.
NSW Country, led by Australian Schoolgirls coach Melissa Spero, won all four games at the Nationals held at Pizzey Park on the Gold Coast last weekend (21-24 March) not conceding any points until the final game on Sunday.
They beat Papua New Guinea (22-0), Australian Defence Force (ADF) 14-0, South Australia (44-0) and Ahi Ka Aotearoa (NZ) 18-12.
NSW City’s only defeat was a 10-4 loss to the Qld Sapphires, but they enjoyed wins over Ahi Ka Aotearoa (8-0), Western Australia (22-4) and the Northern Territory (12-6). The side was coached by Lino Salafai.
Westpac NSW Sky Blues head coach Kylie Hilder was at Pizzey Park to watch the upcoming talent in the women’s game.
A large number of NRLW club officials were there too as the Nationals was a talent identification event for players not already under contract with one of the current 10 NRLW clubs.
“It was good to see the next generation of NRLW players in the making, so to speak, and there were a lot of new faces on Gold Coast so that’s encouraging as well,” Hilder said.
“Our three girls named in the ‘Team of the Tournament’ were all well-deserved.
“Country had a particularly strong tournament and they benefited from having a large group of the Western Rams – our 2024 NSWRL Women’s Country Champions – in their line-up.”
