Shenae Ciesiolka set to represent Australia in third sport after Rugby League World Cup inclusion

Toowoomba’s Shenae Ciesiolka is poised to add another Australian jersey to her coffers, joining an elite group of few to represent her country in three different sports on the international stage.

RUGBY LEAGUE: Shenae Ciesiolka is poised to join very rare company after her latest sporting accolade.

The Toowoomba star was selected in the 24-woman squad to represent Australia at the Rugby League World Cup in England next month.

It will take her up to three sports representing her nation in, after previously donning the green and gold in Rugby Sevens and touch football.

It’s an honour that hasn’t been lost on the 25-year-old, who continues her meteoric rise since switching codes in 2020.

“It’s pretty amazing. Every time you pull on the green and gold, it’s a feeling you can’t explain,” she said.

“To represent your country, your family and those that played before you, it’s a whole other level.

“You get so much pride in wearing those colours. Hopefully I can play a couple of games. It’s the pinnacle in the sport.”

Shenae Ciesiolka and Dom du Toit show off their gold medals won in the women's Rugby Sevens at the 2014 Youth Olympics in China. Picture: Contributed

While things didn’t go to plan for the Broncos in their most recent NRLW outing, Ciesiolka was one of the standouts in a tough season.

She cracked the top 10 tryscorers list in the competition and had the fifth most line breaks of any player.

That form translated into an Australian PM XIII appearance against Papua New Guinea, where she finished the contest with a hat-trick.

“At the Broncos and this season we didn’t perform as well as we would’ve liked to,” she said.

“Not making the semis and then the grand final, that’s two games we missed out on.

“I had an opportunity to play for the PM XIII and knew I had to play good footy to hopefully give myself a last chance to be picked.

“It was really good. It was a different environment and culture being around a different team. I went out there and was able to play with a bit more fun and enjoy my footy.

“I had no expectations on myself. I just wanted to go out there and show what I was capable of.”

Shenae Ciesiolka of the Maroons. Photo: Mark Nolan/Getty Images

Ciesiolka did just that, receiving the call that every boy and girl dreams of receiving.

“I was sitting at home on the couch when I got a call from the Broncos coach,” she said.

“We were chatting and then he told me that I was off to the World Cup. I was shocked at the start and didn’t have much reaction.

“I tried to stay calm and collected, but I was so ecstatic. Mum was sitting near me and I gave her a thumbs up.

“Dad was outside mowing the lawn so I ran out to tell him and then gave my brother and sister a call straight away.

“To receive the news of being off to a World Cup is amazing, but it was all the more special to have family around me.”

Shenae Ciesiolka of the Broncos. Photo: Dan Peled/Getty Images

The Jillaroos begin their campaign on November 3 (AEST) against the Cook Islands, and Ciesiolka said she is hoping to get as much out of the journey as she can.

“We go into camp on the Gold Coast before flying out to England. We spend a week over there before getting into the games,” she said.

“Our games are played at 7.30pm at night when it will be pretty cold. There’s about four or five days turnaround between games.

“For me I just can’t wait to go away and enjoy the experience. I know I’ll learn so much.”

Shenae Ciesiolka will represent Australia at the Rugby League World Cup. Picture: Getty Images/Contributed