‘Hits like a truck, runs like a train’: 22 rugby union converts hit the NRLW

Honed in rugby pathways, these emerging players have found a home in the NRLW and are set to announce themselves to the rugby league world in 2025. Ahead of the season, we reveal the rookie code converts to watch. 

She hits like a truck and runs like a steam train.

Parramatta wrecking ball Martha Mataele is one of 22 players to make a cross-code switch to the NRLW for the first time this season as part of a growing battle for female talent.

“Martha is a beast,” says Eels captain and former Australian rugby sevens star, Mahalia Murphy.

“With her strength, her competitiveness. She’s got experience as well. But just her ability to be so strong in contact, even in defence. She hits you like a bloody truck and runs like a bloody steam train.

“When she does a run or when she does a hit, it lifts everyone.”

The 25-year-old former Black Ferns star arrives at the Eels with big expectations for the year ahead, joining fellow internationals Lily Dick at the Cowboys (Australian rugby sevens), and Michaela Brake at the Warriors (New Zealand rugby sevens dual Olympic gold medallist) in the NRLW.

Honed in rugby pathways, these players have found a home in rugby league. For now.

As the NRLW grows so does the opportunity for female athletes from rival sports, with players flooding into the newly expanded competition.

The pipeline from professional rugby to the NRLW isn’t new, but it is growing with the lure of weekly, televised games and greater exposure to new audiences.

SCROLL DOWN TO SEE EVERY NRLW 2025 CODE CONVERT

And as the NRLW nears professionalism, the stars will get bigger.

International sevens stars Maddi and Teagan Levi had their request to play NRLW in 2025 blocked by Rugby Australia at the end of last year.

But the option to make a code switch becomes available after the women’s World Cup, which kicks off in England in August, and both have expressed interest in coming to the NRLW in the future.

Parramatta Eels recruit Martha Mataele.

“NRLW was definitely on the sights in a couple of years’ time or whenever that time is, but right now I’m obviously signed till 2026 and we haven’t won a gold medal with the Olympics yet, so I’m definitely not stepping away from this sport,” Maddi said in October last year.

“Whenever that time is, I’m definitely open to other doors, having played AFLW and hopefully NRLW. But I really want to take home that medal and leave a legacy.”

With the eighth NRLW season kicking off on Thursday night, we take a look at the newest converts to hit the game.

Originally published as ‘Hits like a truck, runs like a train’: 22 rugby union converts hit the NRLW