Runaway Bay Seagulls ace Rona Peters hoping to overcome knee injury to play State of Origin

From reserve grade to State of Origin. It’s the stunning jump Rona Peters is set to make on Friday night should she be ruled fit.

FROM reserve grade to State of Origin. It’s the stunning jump Rona Peters is set to make on Friday night should she be ruled fit.

Make no mistake, the 31-year-old is a star of women’s rugby league.

Peters, who stands at just 156cm, is a long-time member of the Maroons side and was the starting lock forward for Brisbane in their inaugural NRLW premiership last year.

But after being an integral part of Burleigh’s run to four successive South East Queensland division one titles, she made the bold move to depart in favour of starting a team from scratch at Runaway Bay.

Broncos NRLW player Rona Peters at Runaway Bay Rugby League Club. Picture: Jason O'Brien

The Seagulls were not included in the top tier for 2019, meaning Peters has spent the season playing in division two – aside from a chance to represent South East Queensland at the recent Women’s National Championships at Pizzey Park.

That has not stopped her from being noticed.

Peters has been a pivotal figure at Bay, who are sitting atop the division two ladder after nine rounds. In her absence, the team suffered their first loss last Saturday.

Bay president Graham Gleeson was full of praise for Peters’ influence around the club and said their members would be eagerly cheering her on in the Origin showdown against NSW at North Sydney Oval.

Rona Peters goes on the attack for the Broncos. Picture: AAP Image

“She is everything to that side,” Gleeson said.

“Just the way she deals with them and is one-on-one with them, she teaches them skills.

“She is not about winning, she is about teaching them.

“What she has brought to the club, it’s mind-blowing to have got to where they are and what they are doing.”

Peters was spotted in a knee brace at Queensland training this week, sparking doubts about her availability.

A Maroons spokesperson confirmed Peters is “managing that injury but has been involved in training with us this week.”