History-making Brazilian Rugby League captain Maria Graf is beginning her campaign to become the first South American-born player to crack the NRLW on her arrival to Australia this week.
In what presents a landmark moment for the sport, Graf will use one of the world’s most picturesque locales in Noosa as the platform upon which to launch her ambitions.
Fresh from captaining the Brazil Amazonas at the World Cup in England, Graf has joined the Noosa Pirates in the Sunshine Coast competition.
She is expected to be one of at least five Brazilian women registered to Noosa in 2023, a club which already has two male Brazilians on its books.
Graf’s aim is to use the Sunshine Coast season to become accustomed to Australian conditions and prove herself to scouts, with an eye to graduating to local representative honours, BMD Premiership and, ideally, NRLW.
Her sporting CV is impressive. Aside from tackling England, France and Canada at the World Cup, she has been a member of champion Brazilian domestic teams in rugby union and futsal and is an international referee.
Prior to discovering rugby in her late teens, Graf participated in judo, volleyball and soccer, is a qualified physical conditioner working in sports development and administration.
She has already received interest and advice from several coaches linked to NRLW clubs, but acknowledges she will need to prove herself week-in, week-out to field firmer offers.
A strong kicker in general play and at goal, Graf played halfback for Brazil at the World Cup, but also previously represented her homeland at lock, and could be capable of playing most positions aside from prop.
Noosa last year finished their regular season outside of finals contention, with five wins from 17 games, so will be looking for their new recruit to add spark to their 2023 campaign.
In recent years the Noosa club has provided State of Origin talents Moses Mbye and Jake Friend to the NRL, while young Bulldogs speedster Blake Wilson also hails from the Pirates.
In the twilight of their careers, the likes of Noel Goldthorpe, Wayne Bartrim, Scott Hill and Dale Shearer all represented Noosa.
The most famous female player to have represented the Pirates to-date is former Queensland and Australian representative Jaye Wales.
