Tazmin Gray will have her family watching her first NRLW game
A MONTH of fly in, fly out for Tazmin Gray is about to all be worth it. Her family will be at ANZ Stadium on Saturday and her children will see what their mum has been working so hard for.
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A MONTH of fly in, fly out for Tazmin Gray is about to all be worth it.
It’s been a big 2018 for Gray as she returned to the game after the birth of her second child.
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She missed last year’s World Cup because of the pregnancy, but has come back with strong performances at the National Championship, State of Origin for Queensland and now this weekend has the chance to stamp her authority on the NRL with the Roosters.
It’s been tough for the forward to manage the pre-season schedule.
She is one a few Queensland-based Roosters coming to Sydney for training, but they time she’s had to have from her daughters is about to pay off.
Her family will be there at ANZ Stadium on Saturday when the Roosters and Warriors open the NRLW season and her children will see what their mum has been working so hard for.
“It’s challenging, but it’s worth it,” Gray said.
“They see what I’m doing, so hopefully one day they know that even though they have to sacrifice time with me, if you put hard work into what you do it all pays off in the end.”
One pay off for NRLW players from this inaugural season are possible places in the PM’s XIII and Australia teams selected after grand final.
While Gray isn’t thinking about reclaiming her second row spot just yet, a strong month of footy would put her back in contention.
The rise of the new competition, however, has made claiming on of those spots tougher than ever.
“All I’m worried about is doing my job for my team and if that (Jillaroos spot) comes up, it comes up,” Gray said.
“For now I have to focus on my job here at the Roosters and doing what I can for our team to win that premiership.”
Far from being threatened by the young talent being uncovered as the game grows, senior players are embracing the challenge and what it means for women’s rugby league.
“It makes the game more exciting because it’s grown so much and these NRL clubs have come on board,” Gray said.
“We have so much more exposure and have girls coming out of the woodwork now who want to be part of the game.
“It’s makes it harder for the women who play. Your spot isn’t secured in a national team until you do your job.
“It’s more exciting and definitely made it harder for coaches at that level to select a national team.”