Laura and Hilda Mariu are all footy, at work and at their home
HILDA and Laura Mariu are both in the NRLW record books. It’s fitting for the Warriors couple who live and breathe footy. Swoop’s weekly column for Big League.
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ONE started the Warriors’ campaign in the best possible manner, one ensured it finished with the best result.
Hilda and Laura Mariu have been together for six years and married for six months.
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Ever since they met they’ve played in the same team and last weekend they ran out for the first game of the NRL Women’s Premiership.
They’re both in the record books. Hilda will forever be the first tryscorer in the women’s competition. Laura is just one of four inaugural captains for the league.
At home, it’s quiet if there was a loss, but they didn’t have to worry about that last weekend.
The Warriors defeated the Roosters 10-4 in the NRLW’s first ever game and it was a crunching tackle by Laura on Roosters centre Isabelle Kelly as she attacked their line late in the game that ensured the Warriors finished in front on the scoreboard.
“We do talk footy. We do,” Hilda said. “I’m lucky, she’s had a lot of experience throughout the years. I have that respect for her as a player.
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“She’s very humble. That was an attraction for me, because she’s so humble with the accolades she’s been able to achieve over the years.
“When there’s a loss in the house, it is quiet for a little while, then we do talk to each other and say what are the good things and what are the things we need to work on for next game.”
The two have a relationship on-field that works. There have never been blow ups during a game. Plus, they couldn’t be happier off the field.
And to be able to share the NRLW experience not only with each other, but also the rest of their Warriors teammates means the world to them.
“I was really proud of where we both are,” Hilda said.
“To be able to basically run out together and make history today for the NRL, first NRL women’s competition.
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“There were lots of emotions knowing it’s the first game. Playing together. Just everything.
“You think about the women before, so that was on our shoulders. We had all of that. We looked at each other as a team, were like, right we’re here, let’s just do the business now.”
That they did, but it wasn’t easy.
Up against the early favourites in the Roosters, the Warriors were relentless in defence and for the most part sharp in attack.
Two months of training came to fruition and a tight bond they have developed helped the team overcome a treacherous arrival to Sydney.
A diverted flight that arrived late in Brisbane the night before, an early departure to get to Sydney on game day, the Warriors women pulled together to keep calm and focus on why they were there.
“The girls showed resilience having only had three or four hours sleep,” Mariu said.
“We were just trying to make sure no one was on phones and we were really relaxing and trying to concentrate, have a sleep if you could.
“We got back to the hotel, had a late breakfast and jumped back on the bus after our meeting and had to switch on.
“We knew we’d be flying over here and knew we had to keep tight over the next three weeks.
"Our culture of our team is we’ve kept it really tight for each other. We’re basically family now.”