Sydney Rugby: Meet 40+ women to star in all four divisions in the finals
From international stars to rising young guns and those just happy to be alongside their besties, the Sydney Women’s Rugby finals has everyone covered. 40+ talents from all four divisions.
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It’s finals time in Sydney Women’s Rugby, and only the best remain in the premier competitions.
Featuring four divisions, from this weekend, the top four sides in each division will compete for spots in next week’s grand finals.
Stacked with international and state stars, the Chikarovski Cup includes a lengthy list of big names. In the lower grades, there’s a mix of next-generation talent and dedicated veterans.
We’ve reached out to the coaches for the inside scoop on their teams. Here’s over 40+ stars to watch.
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Chikarovski Cup - Chikarovski Plate - Division 2 Cup - Division 2 Plate
CHIKAROVSKI CUP
EMILY ROBINSON (WARRINGAH)
Prop
A proven battle-axe, no one has turned out more for the NSW Waratahs than this seasoned loosehead prop. Since making her debut as a teenager, the 32-year-old has represented the Ratettes over 150 times in a journey that includes a World Cup with the Wallaroos.
Skilled and a calming influence, she is also known to slot the occasional conversion.
SHARNI SMALE (WARRINGAH)
Centre/second row
A three-time Olympian, Sharni was co-captain of the Australian sevens team that won gold in Rio. Owns her own gym, meaning her teammates couldn’t be any fitter as they look to improve on their minor premiership success.
PARIS INGEGNERI (WARRINGAH)
Fullback
A Warringah junior, Paris has risen through the local ranks and has now caught the attention of the Waratahs selectors. Amid a host of code-hoppers in the rugby ranks, she showcased her talent last year with Manly in the Harvey Norman Women’s Premiership.
RACHEL BALCOMB (WARRINGAH)
Second-row
After making a name for herself in surfboats at Palm Beach, Rachel, in just her second season of rugby is already making waves. Super strong, she goes all day and often carries multiple defenders along the way.
CLAUDIA MELTZER (WARRINGAH)
Five-eighth
One of several mums on the team, since giving birth to her second child early last year, Claudia hasn’t skipped a beat upon her return. An attacking weapon, she is nearing the form that previously saw her selected for NSW.
SIUSIUOSALAFAI ‘NANCY’ VOLKMAN (SYDNEY UNI BLUE)
Prop
A tighthead prop, ‘Nancy’ is the sister of Parramatta NRL halfback Ronald Volkman. A regular for Uni over the years, the respected leader is already making a name for herself with powerful carries for NSW in Super Rugby.
BRITT MERLO (SYDNEY UNI BLUE)
Hooker
A terrier at the breakdown, the Waratah hooker’s physicality forces numerous turnovers. Although yet to win a cap, Britt has featured in the extended Wallaroos squad.
HOLLIE TWIDALE (SYDNEY UNI BLUE)
Flanker
The well travelled Queenslander brings a wealth of experience from the Melbourne Rebels. Difficult to contain in possession, the Uni skipper is a nightmare for opposing No.10’s off the scrum.
SERA NAIQAMA (SYDNEY UNI BLUE)
No.8
From a proud sporting family, Sera is the younger sister of former NRL and Fijian internationals Wes and Kevin. An imposing presence on and off the field, the 30-year-old has 13 Wallaroos caps and is a prominent voice on Stan Sport and ABC Pacific.
SENETI KILISIMASI (MANLY RED)
Prop/No.8
A bulldozer for the Mermaids, the Waratahs rep is a proven wrecking ball and is virtually unstoppable from close range.
NATA KILISIMASI (MANLY RED)
Hooker
Part of a formidable family combination in the Manly pack, the Tongan international is fuelled by raw aggression, and according to coach Ben Tuipulotu, “she cleans the ruck out like no other”.
SARAH TUIPULOTU (MANLY RED)
Centre
A halfback on the international stage for Tonga, Sarah is one to watch at inside centre for Manly. A noted organiser, she has a sound all-round kicking game.
ERIKA PETERSON (MANLY RED)
Lock
Brilliant at set pieces, Erika is quick to the breakdown and thrives in heavy traffic. Her brother Greg represented the United States as an American Eagle.
KYAH LITTLE (HUNTER WILDFIRES)
Five-eighth
A former national touch football rep, Kyah is dynamite on counter attack and is a current member of the ACT Brumbies Super W program and was recently named in the Rugby Australia Next Gen 7s squad for the Brumbies.
Has a strong understanding of the game and despite her size is also a fearsome defender.
MARYANN TUISALEGA (HUNTER WILDFIRES)
Front Row
Absolute physicality! A punishing defender and one to be feared when carrying the ball, Maryann has a background with the Melbourne Rebels and was a member of the inaugural Wildfires Division 2 premiership winning team in 2021.
Returning from injury after two years, she remains committed despite juggling full time work and parenting.
MAIA MADDEN-KHAN (HUNTER WILDFIRES)
Winger
A jet on the athletics track, the speedster is a major attacking threat. Part of the young crew coming through at the Wildfires, Maia is a NSW Country rep and is currently studying for the HSC.
EMMA BRADFORD (HUNTER WILDFIRES)
Backrow
An original member of the Wildfires program, Emma is one of the most humble and hardest working players in the competition. After a year off, she hasn’t missed a beat and is a popular figure among her teammates. A real lineout threat, she has a huge motor and her damaging carries on the edge often end up across the try line.
CHIKAROVSKI PLATE
DREY MALIETOA (CAMPBELLTOWN)
Utility
The Harlequins’ fearless leader does it all. After starting the season at hooker, Drey shifted to her original position where she called the shots from inside centre. Now floating between both, she embodies what it means to be a leader and will be a crucial cog in the finals charge.
TARQUIN MATA (CAMPBELLTOWN)
Prop/No.8
A former league player from the Canterbury Bulldogs pathways, Mata has made an immediate impact at Campbelltown. Fearless in contact, she drives the side forward and is one to watch as she switches between the front row and No.8 to dominate the opposition.
MELISSA FATU (CAMPBELLTOWN)
Prop
A former Waratah and Wallaroo, the punishing prop still loves rattling ribs and scattering defenders. A forward leader, she knows all the tricks and is one her teammates look to when things heat up.
SARINA TUUGA-STEVENSON (CAMPBELLTOWN)
Lock
A former centre, Sarina is developing into damaging second rower in just her second season of rugby. Plays big minutes and has an uncanny knack of breaking into the backfield.
ALAFOU FATU (CAMPBELLTOWN)
Utility back
The younger sister of Melissa, Alafou is a former Samoan sevens rep who has played a pivotal role in Harlequins’ rise up the ladder. A powerful voice, she directs the ship and is a key component to set piece plays.
TIARNE CAVANAGH (SOUTHERN DISTRICTS)
Five-eighth
Since returning to rugby after a stint with the Sydney Swans in the AFLW, earlier this year, the gifted half was rewarded with her Waratahs debut. Small in stature but equipped with silky skills, she also knows how to chop down the big boppers
MITA WAQA (SOUTHERN DISTRICTS)
No.8
Mita continues to turn heads in her first season. Stocky and aggressive, she hits hard in defence and is definitely one to keep an eye on down the track.
LUSIANA VESIKULA (SOUTHERN DISTRICTS)
Centre
The teenage outside centre is an U18s state rep in both 15-aside and sevens. Super quick and agile, her season continues to get better following her recent selection in the NSW squad for the upcoming Next Gen 7s tournament.
MARTHA HARVEY (EASTS)
Halfback
Since making a name for herself in the NSW Country system, the former Narrabri High student has made it all the way to the Waratahs. Now in her third year at Easts, the livewire half is primed for a big finals campaign.
AROHA SPILLANE (EASTS)
Fullback
With five seasons at the club, the fullback is a familiar face at Easts. With an ability to identify and exploit open space, combined with speed and strong tackle coverage in the back field, she has also represented NSW City.
ELLA RYAN (EASTS)
Five-eighth
Blessed with game awareness, the cross-code playmaker is a serious run, pass, kick threat. An Australian rep at the Global Youth sevens in 2019, Ella has also played for the Brumbies, Waratahs and Canberra Raiders in the NRLW.
SIOBHANN MCGINLEY (EASTS)
Backrow
A prominent voice with excellent communication skills, the hard tackling backrower brings plenty of experience to Easts are representing Scotland at both U18s and U20s.
DIVISION 2 CUP
GRACE KENNEDY (RANDWICK)
Hooker
The captain of an inexperienced team, Grace leads from the front and often shifts the momentum of the game with a strong carry or punishing tackle. She is a key figure in Randwick’s return to the senior 15-a-side competition.
SOPHIA WILSON (RANDWICK)
Flanker
Sophia is one of the bright young stars coming through the Randwick system. At just 17, she has represented Sydney U18s and continues to showcase strong skills in attack and defence.
APRIL ALLENDE (RANDWICK)
Flanker/centre
A rugby rookie, Allende is a powerful player with and without the ball. Despite limited experience, her diverse mix of skills have been used both in the back row and in the centres this season.
TENARIA GEORGE (SYDNEY UNI GOLD)
Hooker
Still only 18, Tenaria is enjoying the culture of rugby following stints in the rugby league pathways at Canterbury and North Sydney. Difficult to bring down, she is pivotal to Uni’s title hopes.
AMALIA CASEY (SYDNEY UNI GOLD)
Flanker
The 17-year-old brings an infectious work ethic to the squad. Commutes from the Central Coast, and despite the regular travel her on field effort show no signs of fatigue.
MIA JONES (SYDNEY UNI GOLD)
Centre
Another from the Central Coast, Mia comes from a sevens background and is a genuine crowd-pleaser. An Aussie schoolgirls rep, she turned it on last week with a stunning six-try blitz against Randwick.
KELSEY BERRYMAN (MANLY BLUE)
Five-eighth
An all-round package, the 17-year-old played Lisa Fiaola Cup rugby league with Manly earlier this year and can be relied upon to guide the Mermaids around the park. Light on her feet, she possesses a solid short and long-range kicking game.
JAYDAH ONGOSIA (MANLY BLUE)
Hooker
Alongside her twin sister Janaya, Jaydah is double trouble. She always hits the target when throwing at lineouts and brings excellent form after representing City U18s.
JOYCIE ONGOSIA (MANLY BLUE)
No.8
After a long lay-off due to an ACL injury, Joycie is now playing as well as ever. Aggressive in the ruck, she’s tough to get past and brought her parents to tears when she was able to share the field with younger sisters, Janaya and Jaydah.
DIVISION 2 PLATE
BECKY KLIMECK (GORDON)
Front row
Age is just a number with this one. She schools the youngins on what it means to run hard and hit harder. Much more than Gordon’s skipper, Becky takes on everything — from coaching to kicking — and if you’re not convinced, those in the know say you can ask, and she’ll share the stats.
BELLA RYAN (GORDON)
Centre
Like a magician in attack, the vice-captain can unlock the best defence, and from there, it’s all over — no one catches Gordon’s speed machine, who scores in nearly every game. Her years of experience in the UTS Student Athlete Program have made her transition from sevens seamless.
MAYA ATKINSON (GORDON)
Fullback
One of the most talented young players to emerge from the Gordon women’s program, Maya leads the competition for tries scored and also crossed the stripe in her Chikarovski Cup debut against Manly. A young gun to watch, she also kicks goals and is a NSW U18s sevens rep.
VAKE ALA (EASTWOOD)
Outside back/five-eighth
Woods through and through, Vake is now in her third season since starting her career at Eastwood. Graceful in attack, she is fierce over the ruck and can read the opposition like a book which makes her dangerous at fullback.
ALYSSA SCHLYDER (EASTWOOD)
Halfback/centre
Still to complete her first season, Alyssa plays excellent eyes up footy always knowing when to pick and run, hit the pod or give it to the backs. With pace off the mark, points are never far away when she breaks the line.
AMELIA POLLEY (EASTWOOD)
Prop/flanker
After time in the league ranks, Amelia joined the club this year and brings versatility to the forwards and backs. Predominantly a hard running loosehead prop, she is quick on her feet with a deceptive step and can bump off defenders.
YSABELLA AVEDILLO (EASTWOOD)
Hooker/flanker
Currently in her fourth season, Bella has played in all formats of the game for Eastwood. Powerful over the break down both offensively and defensively, she is adept either competing in the lineout or hitting the spot with an accurate throw.
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