NRL Women’s National Championships: results, standouts, Origin contenders

There were damaging forwards, blistering backs and even some surprise packets. Find out who laid claims to an Origin jumper or NRLW contract at the Women’s National Championships.

Some of the most promising up-and-coming rugby league players in NSW have laid a claim to State of Origin selection and potentially even NRLW contracts after some excellent performances in the Women’s National Championships on the Gold Coast.

NSW City and Country under-19s sides took part in the 12-team tournament, which featured a mix of under-19s and open-age teams from across the country.

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“I think it’s always a good challenge coming up against players who are more experienced and probably have a bit more physicality in their game,” said NSW Country coach Courtney Crawford.

“These girls have been lucky enough to play in age competitions and they’re going to progress into the opens very shortly, so I think it’s a good challenge and it allows these other states to have these opportunities as well, which is great for the female game and the way that it’s growing.”

While there was no title to play for in the revamped structure, the City side was one of three standout teams – alongside Northern Territory and the Queensland Rubys – over the course of the tournament, going through undefeated.

Jae Patu in action for City. Picture: Bryden Sharp

After opening their account with a 24-4 victory over the Queensland Sapphires, the team went on to defeat open-age side NSW Emerging Country 20-4 and then Western Australia 10-6, before drawing 8-8 with fellow undefeated team the Rubys on the final day.

City prop Alexis Tauaneai was a standout over the course of the weekend, claiming the Tahnee Norris Medal as the player of the tournament.

Alexis Tauaneai was named Player of the Tournament. Picture: Bryden Sharp

It caps off what has been a wonderful 2023 so far for the forward, who was also named Player of the Tournament in the Tarsha Gale Cup for her performances with the Bulldogs. She is one who has already earned an NRLW contract, having been signed by the St George Illawarra Dragons for this year’s competition.

Meanwhile with three tries over the weekend, winger Grace-Lee Weekes was also named in the Team of the Tournament.

The outside back’s performances come off the back of a strong season for North Sydney in both the Tarsha Gale Cup and NSW Women’s Premiership.

Amelia Pasikala played for the Bulldogs in the Tarsha Gale Cup. Picture: Sean Teuma/NewsLocal.

Elsewhere, captain Chloe Jackson was strong in the backrow, while Amelia Pasikala made quite the impact off the bench with a couple of excellent solo tries.

It was a slightly different story for NSW Country who had a more mixed tournament, finishing with a record of one win and three losses.

After going down to the Rubys 14-0 on day one, the side fought back with an excellent 12-10 victory over the First Nations Gems, before going down to New Zealand side Ahi Ka Aotearoa 16-12 in a tight contest on day three. Country then finished off its campaign with a 12-0 defeat at the hands of the Australian Defence Force.

“I think it was a positive experience,” said Crawford. “While we didn’t get the results on the field that we would have liked in some games, I think across the weekend the girls improved in different aspects of the game, and that’s all you can ask for in a short camp with not too many training sessions.”

Mercydes Faaeteete Metcalf played in the forwards for Country. Picture: Bryden Sharp

While the tournament acts a natural trial for the NSW under-19s Origin squad, expected to be named in the coming weeks, in recent years it has also doubled as an audition for potential professional contracts, with NRLW coaches Jamie Soward (St George Illawarra Dragons), Darrin Borthwick (Canberra Raiders), Ben Jeffries (North Queensland Cowboys), Karyn Murphy (Gold Coast Titans) and Scott Prince (Brisbane Broncos) among those watching on over the course of the weekend.

In the battle to impress selectors and club scouts, it was somewhat of a surprise packet who shone for Country.

“One that really surprised us and got our Player of the Tournament was Marley Cardwell from Penrith,” said Crawford.

“She’s just a middle who’s willing to put her hand up to do the hard work. She was our best defender across the weekend and would take those tough carries in the middle. She’s one who really took her opportunity over the weekend and stood out for me.”

Newcastle’s Charlotte Barwick was one of Country’s best. Picture: Bryden Sharp

Elsewhere, Newcastle centre Charlotte Barwick was strong both in attack and defence, while winger Georgia Wiley from Canberra crossed twice during the four games to earn a spot in the Team of the Tournament.

Another to catch the eye was the Central Coast’s Lailani Montgomery, who played in the centres and at five-eighth.

“She is very coachable and has a great skillset,” said Crawford of the Sydney Roosters’ Tarsha Gale Cup player. “She just needs to develop her understanding of the game a little bit more.”

Indeed, even if some don’t happen to get the representative or professional call-up this year, Crawford believes several of her players could break into the fold in the coming years.

“There are a number of girls who I think will be putting their hands up for that selection for Origin and also NRLW contracts over the next year or two.”