Netball roughie turned Dragons NRLW gun Rikeya Horne making her mark in rugby league
SHE’S the St George Illawarra young gun told she was too rough for netball. A teenager who had to beg her parents to be allowed to play the game.
Women's sport
Don't miss out on the headlines from Women's sport. Followed categories will be added to My News.
SHE’S the St George Illawarra young gun who was told she was too rough for netball.
Eighteen-year-old Rikeya Horne once had to beg her parents to be allowed to play the game and now she’s set to play a major part in the Dragons’ must-win match at Allianz Stadium on Saturday in the final round of the NRL women’s premiership,
“Rugby league, I just love it — it’s my escape from everything,’’ said Horne, a childcare worker and one of a group of talented Dragons locals the club hopes to hold on to and develop.
TOKYO GLORY: Cousins test mettle at Olympic site
NRL WOMEN: Dragons all business after celebrations
“I played netball my whole life until I was 16 and then picked up rugby league.
“I just got over netball. I wanted to try something.
“I was also a bit too rough as well. I got told that all the time. So I thought I had better try something where full contact is actually allowed.’’
Wollongong-based Horne made a surprise debut for the Jillaroos in the nine-a-side team that competed earlier this year in the Commonwealth Championships in Brisbane.
But it’s been a battle to get there, with Horne saying she had to work hard on her mum and day to let her play rugby league.
“My parents never wanted me to play rugby league. They wanted me to stay with netball.
“I had to beg them to play. I’m the only one in the family who plays rugby league.
“I think they were worried about the contact. But I love the contact part of it.’’
Despite her late move into the sport, Horne racked up 20 tries in 10 games last season, scored off her first touch for the Jillaroos and dotted down in the Dragons’ first win against the Warriors, 22-10, last Saturday.
And while the Dragons misfired in the opening round against the Broncos at Suncorp Stadium, getting towelled up 30-4, Horne made a decent fist of her NRL debut.
NRL WOMEN’S COMP: Draw, teams, rules
FIRST OUTING: Mixed emotions for Dragons after historic match
Ten days out from the grand final of the inaugural women’s premiership, the Dragons and Horne know anything less than a win over the Roosters this weekend will end their season. They sit equal-second on points with the Warriors, but are eight points worse off in points differential. If the Warriors manage to beat the unbeaten Broncos Friday night, the Dragons will need to ensure they not only beat the Roosters, but put plenty of points on them too.
“It’s do or die and they all know that,’’ said Dragons coach Daniel Lacey.
“They (the Roosters) were competition favourites, they are basically the NSW team with a couple of Queenslanders. so they have the connections there.
“We’re expecting them to come at us hard but I have confidence in our team and what we can do.’’