The trail blazing schoolgirls who have made history

Ten Queenslanders have been included in the historic first ever Australian schoolgirls side to play Fiji later in the year. See the full list.

The winning Queensland schoolgirls rugby league team.

Ten Queenslanders have been included in the historic first ever Australian schoolgirls side to play Fiji later in the year.

They were members of the trail-blazing Queensland schoolgirls team which toppled NSW 30-6 in the third State of Origin curtain-raiser.

And in the ultimate compliment to the girls, they had the State of Origin men standing sideline, cheering them on to victory.

GEE CUP GRAND FINAL PREVIEW, STRETTON v ST MARY’S HERE

One of the loudest supporters was the retired immortal in waiting, Cameron Smith, who was a part of the Maroons coaching staff.

Keebra Park SHS’s Tavarna Papalii leaps for joy after the win.

“You could hear them all cheering us when we were nearly scoring,’’ said Mabel Park SHS’s back rower Shaylee Joseph, who has made the Australian schoolgirls side.

“And when Ebony (Raftstrand-Smith) made her runaway try, they were all cheering.’’

RELATED LINKS

WHY GREG INGLIS’ OLD SCHOOL IS STILL AN NRL HOTBED OF TALENT

MARSDEN SHS’S TEAM OF THE 2020s - and their greatest ever side

WATCH THE LATEST SCHOOLBOY LIVE STREAM REPLAYS HERE

THE QLD SCHOOLGIRLS SIDE THAT MADE HISTORY

Her Aussie schoolgirls teammate Tavarna Papalii (Keebra Park SHS) added: “It was pretty cool. To see the Queensland boys backing us, and when Ebony scored hearing Cameron Smith cheering us in the corner, it was cool to know they were supporting the women.’’

Members of the history making Qld schoolgirls side - Mabel Park’s Kaylee Joseph, left.

How the tide has turned for our Queensland schoolgirl heros. On Origin night it is Queensland State of Origin men’s side which expect to be cheered and applauded, but here the Maroons’ men were, cheering like crazy for the Queensland schoolgirls.

Shaylee Joseph of Mabel Park SHS. Picture: NIGEL HALLETT

Queensland’s avalanche of points led to the local girls dominating the first ever Australian schoolgirls selection, although representation could have been higher if unlucky omissions Montaya Hudson (Marsden SHS fullback), Malaela Su’a (Mabel Park SHS back rower) and Skyla Adams (Keebra Park SHS half) had also made the side.

But 10 did - and for them it continued a magic carpet ride for a trial blazing group of young women carving out a pathway to the top.

First they made the first ever Queensland schoolgirls side, and now selection in the first ever Australian schoolgirls.

Members of the history making Qld schoolgirls side.

This is a moment to cherish for Ebony Raftstrand-Smith (Keebra Park SHS, Sienna Lofipo (Marsden SHS, Waterford West), Lillian Yarrow (Emmaus College), Eliza Lopamaua (Woodridge SHS), Shaylee Joseph (Mabel Park SHS), Tavarna Papalii (Keebra Park SHS, Southport), India Seeto (Marsden SHS, Waterford West), Theophelia Mosby – Nona (Kirwan SHS), Aerielle Hobbler (Mareeba SHS) and Tiresa Elika (Ipswich SHS, Brassall).

Members of the history making Qld schoolgirls side.

“It makes me feel so proud and excited,’’ said Keebra Park’s Ebony Raftstrand-Smith.

Shaylee Joseph agreed: “We are making history. We are a part of a first ever team to do something, and it is a massive opportunity for all of us.’’

Papalii (Keebra Park SHS, Southport) said the whole experience has been “overwhelming to take in at first.’’

“With the Queensland game I don’t think we realised as a group what we have really accomplished, and to be now selected in the few that have taken it to the next level, it is pretty surreal,’’ Papalii said.

“I have a young sister, siblings and cousins and even mates that have younger family who aspire to be like us. It is cool to know we followed a path and now we are also helping continue to make that path.’’

Tavarna Papalii, middle, and Ebony Raftstrand-Smith, right as young South Coast reps.

Prior to the Qld v NSW schoolgirls clash, both Raftstrand-Smith and Joseph had been to Suncorp Stadium before to watch their older siblings - Tiana Raftstrand-Smith (Titans, NRLW) and Keilee Joseph (Roosters, NRLW) play in the big league.

But instead of being in the Suncorp Stadium grandstand, they were on the field, the ones being cheered on.

“The experience was amazing,’’ Joseph said.

“Even on the bus going into the shed, going into the tunnel, it was different to arriving as a spectator. The experience was amazing.

“And the music was really loud when we ran on. I was trying to get things out of my head and get into game mode and get ready to play.

Tavarna Papalii and Ebony Raftstrand-Smith were in schoolgirls teams from 12 years.

“Finally felt like it was my turn to make a name for myself instead of being Keilee’s sister.

“It was an unreal experience.’’

Tavarna Papalii, right and Ebony Raftstrand-Smith

For Raftstrand-Smith, playing her way into the Australian schoolgirls side alongside schoolmate Tavarna Papalii (Keebra Park SHS) was extra special. “It was a great experience playing before a State of Origin game,’’ she said.

Both Raftstrand-Smith and Papalii have been playing alongside each other since the age of 12, and have built up a unique understanding..

Aerielle Hobbler, bottom right.

Both from Keebra Park, they made their first representative South Coast team together and to this day form a lethal combination in the Titans Cup and when they play for Keebra Park SHS and Burleigh Bears in the Harvey Norman under 19 women’s state league competition.

“It gives me more confidence playing with girls I know, girls who I have been playing with for a few years,’’ she said, praising the Keebra Park SHS rugby league program.

But it is particularly special playing alongside Papalii whose defence was awesome. “She is renowned for her tackling,’’ Ebony said.

Papalii added: “On field we click pretty well and even off field, it has been a pretty long five year journey with her.

“With every rep team I have been in, Ebony has always been there by my side.

“When you look back five years, being able to say we have done it together with our best mate , and at such a high level, it makes it an even bigger achievement to know you had her there with you.’’

Mother ande daughter - Melinda and Tavarna.

The Aussie schoolgirls come from all walks of life.

For example, for Mareeba’s Aerielle Hobbler it is a moment to cherish after her mother, Cindy, passed away in February.

For Theophelia Mosby – Nona her selection is amazing given she has come from a tiny Yorke Island, while Marsden’s India Seeto was once a national ranked weigh lifter.

Lillian Yarrow and Tiresa Elika (Ipswich SHS) continues the amazing run of rugby league talent out of Rockhampton and Ipswich respectively, as does Woodridge SHS’s Eliza Lopamaua from league rich Logan.

Members of the history making Qld schoolgirls side.

The Australian Schoolgirls side is:

Georgia Willey (Erindale College)

Piper Simons (Stella Maris Collegey)

Tia Jordyn Vasilovski (Caroline Chisholm College)

Litia Fusi (Westfield SHSd)

Ebony Raftstrand-Smith (Keebra Park SHS)

Sienna Lofipo (Marsden SHS)

Tallara Bamblett (The Hills SHS)

Lillian Yarrow (Emmaus College)

Ally Bullman (Narrabeen SHS)

Eliza Lopamaua (Woodridge SHS)

Shaylee Joseph (Mabel Park SHS)

Latisha Smythe (Endeavour SHS)

Tavarna Papalii (Keebra Park SHS)

India Seeto (Marsden SHS)

Theophelia Mosby – Nona (Kirwan SHS)

Aerielle Hobbler (Mareeba SHS)

Tiresa Elika (Ipswich SHS)

Tavarna Papalii playing for Queensland: PIC: Courtesy of the QRL.

The history making Queensland schoolgirls side which beat NSW schoolgirls 30-6 was: Tiresa Elika (Met West), Relna Hosea (Met West), Sienna Lofipo (Met East), Nancy Sullivan (Sunshine Coast), Aerielle Hobbler (Peninsula), Luca Howarth (Capriconia), Lillian Yarrow (Capriconia), Mariah Brown (Darling Downs), Theophelia Mosby-Nona (Far North), Montaya Hudson (Met East), Shaylee Joseph (Met East), Fleur Ginn (South Coast), Malaela Su’a (Met East), Eliza Lopamaua (Met East), Skyla Adams (South Coast), Tavarna Papalii (South Coast), India Seeto (Met East), Ebony Raftstrand-Smith (South Coast), Marissa Nicholson (Sunshine Coast), Shaylee Joseph (Mabel Park), Montaya Hudson (Marsden SHS)