Women’s Origin 2021: RLPA backs NRLW stars amid controversial talent allocation system
The RLPA has thrown their support behind some of the NRLW’s biggest stars amid the controversial talent allocation system that will change the competition forever.
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The RLPA has thrown their weight behind some of the NRLW’s biggest stars as the game grapples with the controversial new talent allocation system that could change the fabric of the competition.
The top 24 players in the game will be awarded centralised contracts with each of the three existing NRLW clubs and the three expansion teams to be allocated four players each.
The 24 tier one players will have $28,000 contracts, while the maximum club wages are believed to be capped at $16,000.
But the efforts to ensure talent is spread evenly across the league has the potential to split up some of the sport’s biggest names, most of whom will be on show in Friday’s State of Origin clash on the Sunshine Coast.
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The contracting system was introduced despite objections from senior players and the RLPA.
“It definitely at times felt like we were being told what was happening, as opposed to a genuine negotiation to reach an agreed outcome,” said Lina Caccamo, the RLPA’s General Manager of Elite Women and International relations.
“We definitely would have been on board with working with them in trying to create a better solution for the competition and that probably highlights a need to have a right mix of stakeholders at the table to ensure that whatever system or solution is created can deliver the best outcome.
“The tagline for the competition is ‘same game, our way’. We believe that players should be actively engaged in developing what that ‘way’ looks like. Unfortunately, the development of this contracting model didn’t meet our expectations in that regard.
“That’s something we will need to address in future planning with the NRL.”
Star Blues forward Millie Boyle voiced her concerns earlier this week on the work of foundation clubs being potentially undermined by the new system.
“It would be undoing the work we’ve done at the Broncos,” Boyle told AAP.
“I understand why they need to do the talent equalisation … But when it comes to splitting up a team against the team’s will, I don’t like it.
“If you want to play somewhere, you should be able to play somewhere. It’s not our full-time job.”
Behind closed doors a number of other players have voiced concerns at the possibility of having to move clubs but have continued to focus on preparations for Origin.
Players can decline to enter the pool of 24 players if they wish to stay with their existing clubs.
However, they would then forfeit the right to the extra payments a centralised contract would provide.
Caccamo believes the semi-professional nature of the competition, and the lack of flexibility that can provide, has not been properly taken into consideration by the NRL.
“We need to look at the women’s competition as something fresh and exciting, we need to create solutions that suit the women’s game,” Caccamo said.
“The semi-professional athletes we’re talking about, we’re not talking about full time athletes who have the flexibility to pick up and move, to uproot their lives for such a short competition.
“The NRL and clubs certainly deserve to be commended for the increased investment in the women’s game and the additional opportunities that come with expansion for female athletes.
“Some players probably feel a bit caught in the middle. They’re not necessarily supportive of a system that dictates where they can and can’t go, and what they can and can’t negotiate, but they are really grateful for the additional investment.”
The situation further highlights the need for a CBA between the NRLW’s athletes and the league, which remains a major goal for the RLPA.
“Getting a collective framework in place for the women’s game is a huge goal for the RLPA and it’s something players want to see as well,” Caccamo said.
“What they want to see is the game working with us as their representatives to secure positive outcomes for the collective playing group and the future of the game.”
MAROONS CONFIDENT THEY HAVE BLUES FIGURED OUT
Nick Campton
The Blues might be trying to pull off an ambush on Friday night but Queensland skipper Ali Brigginshaw says the Maroons know exactly what’s coming and precisely how to stop it.
With the NSW underdogs attempting to atone for last year’s defeat, the Maroons are brimming with confidence as they look to defend the Origin shield on home soil.
Brigginshaw has revealed Queensland have identified the exact order the Blues like to run their forwards, which will help the Maroons nullify the fearsome NSW pack.
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“We’ve actually figured out how they like to run through the middle and what that looks like,” Brigginshaw said.
“With their forward pack they do certain runs after each other. There’s three of them and they work in a team where one of them will take a run, then the next one, then the same one always runs it on the fifth.
“That’s an advantage we have, but their forward pack is quite experienced and they’ve added some young talent in there with Filomina Hanisi and Kennedy Cherrington.
“They’re young and confident girls and confidence is hard to stop, but if we don’t give them the confidence and get into them early we can stop them.”
Brigginshaw will lead Queensland into battle from lock but will play as a third half in her traditional organising role. The extra playmaking nous will allow five-eighth Tarryn Aiken and halfback Zahara Temara plenty of extra space and give the Maroons deadly backline plenty of chances to cut the Blues to shreds.
With 14 players returning from last year, including the entire backline which also contains superstar fullback Tamika Upton, and young gun Destiny Brill debuting at hooker, Queensland are ready to run and gun their way to victory. And if Brigginshaw has her way, this gifted and skilful combination could be the backbone of the Maroons for years to come.
“We have this three halves system and so long as I keep going the three of us can stay together,” Brigginshaw said. “Zahara and Tarryn, they’re quite young. Destiny is just 18, so if we can keep the four of us together that’s a good core for the women’s side.
“I know Tarryn wants early ball because she’s quick on her feet where Z likes to take the line on and she’s quite strong, plus she’s one of the best defensive halves in the game.
“We just need everyone to do what they do best, not to try and do anything they can’t do, that can get us there.”
Queensland are warm favourites heading into the match and are looking for back-to-back interstate victories for the first time since 2013-14.
Cleary gives Hilder’s Blues a kick of confidence
NSW have entered Queensland with two teams that share one goal — and that’s 48 hours of Maroon mauling in an effort to wrap up both Origin series in one glorious weekend.
With the NSW women’s Origin side arriving on enemy soil on Tuesday before Friday’s clash on the Sunshine Coast and Brad Fittler’s men the shortest-priced favourites in Origin history, NSW have the chance to wrap up two series on enemy soil in a two-day Maroon mauling.
Under new coach Kylie Hilder, the Blues women’s side are hell bent on avenging last year’s defeat and have worked closely with Fittler’s charges in an effort to get that winning edge.
“We’ve got that unity with the men’s side which has been really good with Freddy as well, he’s been so happy to help us out in any way, we had Nathan Cleary come in to do some work with our kickers,” Hilder said.
“There’s a lot of learning to take out of last year, we’ve talked about where we can be better but last year was last year. We’ve got a few fresh new faces and changed a few things up, so we’re just going to concentrate on what we can control.”
Hilder is a fresh face in the coaching box, with the legendary dummy half taking up the clipboard this season after retiring last year at 44.
With Tahnee Morris taking over as Queensland mentor it marks the first time two women have taken charge of their respective states.
Blues skipper Kezie Apps believes Hilder’s recent experience as a top level player and her understanding of the women’s set-up will help enormously as the Blues look to spring the upset.
“We’ve been really lucky to have great coaches in the past but it’s different to have someone with a playing background who is straight out of the game,” Apps said.
“She knows all the girls, knows what makes them tick, knows how to motivate them, things like that. I’m really excited to see what she’ll bring to the team and how she’ll bring the best out of the girls.”
Manly legend Geoff Toovey and former Sea Eagles premiership winner Glen Hall round out Hilder’s coaching staff.
“It’s never a dull moment with Geoff around, our team meetings are always a hoot but with his knowledge and experience I’m always learning a lot as well,” Hilder said.
The Blues had their final full session on Tuesday afternoon with the players having Wednesday off before Thursday’s captain’s run.
NSW are expected to be 1-17 for Friday with no injury concerns, in contrast to Queensland who have both Tallisha Harden and Rona Peters racing against the clock in an effort to prove their fitness.
Inside the new system that will change NRLW forever
By Nick Campton
Blues and Jillaroos star Millie Boyle has urged the NRL to respect the work put in by foundation clubs ahead of the radical NRLW expansion that could overhaul the entire competition.
Newcastle, Gold Coast and Parramatta will all join the competition this year with the NRL implementing a centralised contract system for the top 30 players in the league and a talent distribution model that ensures each team has at least four players from that list.
That means teams like Brisbane – who have won all three NRLW premierships to date – could face the prospect of losing a host of stars to rival clubs.
Boyle, who has won two premierships with the Broncos, supports the expansion of the competition, but is keen to see the work put in by the three remaining foundation clubs – Brisbane, St George Illawarra and Sydney Roosters – be rewarded.
“We want the game to grow, that’s the objective of playing and getting more girls playing and building more exposure,” Boyle said.
“But I think how they’re going about it is a bit tricky, because it’s only been so recent they’ve announced the teams and everyone is set on the teams they want to play at.”
Gold Coast are tipped to line up a number of former Warriors players after the Kiwi club were forced to withdraw from this season, while the Knights are reportedly struggling to attract top tier talent.
The new system could also result in some of the game’s biggest names switching clubs – former Golden Boot winner Jess Sergis is expected to switch from the Dragons to the Roosters.
Clubs are still finalising their rosters with pre-season set to begin in mid-July ahead of the competition kick-off closer to the end of the men’s season.
“Because the competition is quite new already, we understand how hard it is to build those relationships and connections within a team,” Boyle said.
“If you’re in an established team you want to stay there and play good footy, I think it’s important you pay respect to that club. They got you where you are.”
Boyle will line up at prop in her third Origin clash on Friday night on the Sunshine Coast and the 23-year old understands the “mate vs mate” aspect of interstate football better than most.
The dual international will be playing against a host of her Broncos and Burleigh Bears teammates – as well as her housemate, star Queensland fullback Tamika Upton.
“I like the challenge, and I like mixing with a different group of girls in the Blues just as much as I like that challenge of playing against the girls I play with every week,” Boyle said.
“I live with Tamika Upton, so there’s already been some banter going on. She keeps playing the card that they won last year – that’s pretty tough for me to beat.”
Why Blues star nearly walked away from her dream
Blues halfback Maddie Studdon has revealed she considered walking away from rugby league after she was dropped from the NSW women’s Origin side last year.
Studdon, who will make her Blues comeback in Friday’s clash on the Sunshine Coast, missed selection last year as part of a miserable season that had her contemplating her future in the sport.
“I’ll always be proud to wear this jersey, it was the hardest drop I’ve ever had. My mental state wasn’t OK, I just wanted to walk away from the sport. I didn’t know what to do, I was all over the joint,” Studdon said.
“I went through a lot with my cousin passing away, then not having the best year with form and then getting dropped for Origin. It wasn’t good in the mental health area.
“But I had the girls around me, especially my best friend Tiana (Penitani), and if it wasn’t for her and Izzy (Isabelle Kelly) I don’t think I’d be back in this spot.”
Studdon captained NSW in the inaugural women’s Origin clash in 2018 and was player of the match in the Blues victory the following season.
But after she was overlooked for selection last year, Studdon embarked on some serious soul-searching before rediscovering her love of the game and fighting her way back into the side.
“I just wanted a break to clear my head, and maybe do something else, but I didn’t know what that was. I just had doubt in my head, I wasn’t thinking straight. There was a lot going on and I wasn’t in a good headspace,” Studdon said.
“But I got straight back into training in pre-season and I started loving it again. I couldn’t believe I was thinking of walking away.
“I love this sport, I’m very grateful I stayed around, I don’t know what I’d be doing if it wasn’t for rugby league.
“It’s unreal to be back, it definitely feels like home. I’m so excited to be able to be part of this again and grateful I got the opportunity.”
Studdon plans to unleash the Blues red-hot backline on Queensland, especially their star centre pairing Penitani and Jess Sergis.
The crafty halfback should give the Blues greater composure and organisation than last year and is keen to make up for lost time.
“I want to play eyes up footy, break things down, playing smart footy and really knowing where we want to end our sets,” Studdon said.
“In attack we want to use our backs as much as we can. I have to be the smart one, controlling things in the middle so we can get it out wide.
“We have the best backs, I believe, in Australia, so if we can use them to the best of their ability that’ll be unbelievable.”
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Why Blues are desperate for revenge on enemy soil
New South Wales skipper Kezie Apps is hellbent on avenging last year’s loss to Queensland and claiming the women’s Origin shield on enemy soil for the first time.
Injury-free for the first time in several seasons, Apps is ready to throw down the gauntlet an lead the Blues into battle on the Sunshine Coast as they attempt to wrest back Origin supremacy.
“Playing Queensland up in Queensland is a challenge in itself, they always seem to find that extra motivation up there,” Apps said.
“We need to shut down a few of their players, Ali Brigginshaw is one of them. We need to make sure we take the time off her, because she’s an amazing player and an amazing athlete.
“Hopefully we can take some time off her to shut them down.
“We need to be better with our errors, hold the ball as much as possible and just play footy.”
Apps headlines a strong Blues squad that includes Jillaroos stars Isabelle Kelly, Jess Sergis, Corban Baxter, Millie Boyle and Simaima Taufa.
Clever hooker Keeley Davis will also make her belated Origin debut after she was ruled out on the day of the match last year.
With recently retired legend Kylie Hilder calling the shots as coach and Ruan Sims, Geoff Toovey and Glen Hall acting as her deputies, the Blues will fancy their chances of upsetting the Maroons.
After a forgettable season last year that was blighted by injuries, Apps is keen to put her stamp on the match and lead the Blues from the front.
She’s been getting consistent football under her belt for Helensburgh in the NSW Women’s Premiership, switching from her usual position of second row to lock, and should be one of the Blues main attacking threats.
“We have such a talented squad, we did last year as well but were blessed to have the same again. I’m really excited to finally get here.
“I’m injury free, so I’m really excited about that. It’s been a while, I can’t remember the last time I came in without an injury. Last year wasn’t my year, I had the worst year ever.
“But this time I’ve been able to play for Helensburgh for 12 games straight, no injuries, I’m playing decent footy each week. I’m feeling really confident in myself, which will help with the team.”
QUEENSLAND
1. Tamika Upton 2. Shenae Ciesiolka 3. Lauren Brown 4. Julia Robinson 5. Karina Brown 6. Tarryn Aiken 7. Zahara Temara 8. Chelsea Lenarduzzi 9. Destiny Brill 10. Shannon Mato 11. Tazmin Gray 12. Tiana Raftstrand-Smith 13. Ali Brigginshaw (c) 14. Romy Teitzel 15. Natassja Purontakanen 16. Shaniah Power 17. Brianna Clark 18. Tallisha Harden 19. Rona Peters
NEW SOUTH WALES
1. Botille Vette-Welsh 2. Yasmin Meakes 3. Jess Sergis 4. Isabelle Kelly 5. Tiana Penitani 6. Corban Baxter 7. Maddie Studdon 8. Simaima Taufa 9. Keeley Davis 10. Millie Boyle 11. Kezie Apps (c) 12. Sarah Togatuki 13. Hannah Southwell 14. Quincy Dodd 15. Filomina Hanisi 16. Kennedy Cherrington 17. Holli Wheeler 18. Brydie Parker 19. Renee Targett
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