'I want to run through a brick wall': Polata ready to make her mark in Origin

When China Polata made her NRLW debut with the Brisbane Broncos, it was star teammate Julia Robinson who presented her with her jersey.

And when Polata makes her State of Origin debut for the Harvey Norman Queensland Maroons next Thursday, it will be Robinson’s jersey that she adopts in what is set to be the biggest game of her career so far.

Robinson – a sensation for the Maroons on the wing in the opening game of this year’s Origin series – was ruled out of Game II in Townsville through suspension, opening the door for Polata – who was 18th player in Game I – to make a most deserved debut.

And while the Mackay Cutters fullback and centre is going into the arena to play her own game and make her own mark, she is also determined to do Robinson’s jersey proud.

“Some people don’t know this but when I was at the Broncos and made my debut last year, she was the person who gave me my jersey,” Polata said.

“I remember when she did, she grabbed the jersey off (coach Kelvin Wright) before our captain’s run. She said, ‘this girl’s been training so hard’ and gave me a lot of props. She talked about how I was coming back from my injury.

“I never realised she was out there watching me like that. She would offer bits of advice and she would help me with getting under the high balls… she just brings a beautiful energy and vibe to training and the team.

“It meant so much and then two weeks ago at Origin in Sydney, we came back from our morning team walk and we were having a little chat and she told me she was proud of me and that I deserve to be in this team.

“It just made me feel so much more grateful for the people that were around me.

“Having players that believed in me that I didn’t think would have the time of day to give me a glance... it was an unreal feeling to hear that from someone like Julia Robinson, who is not only an absolute tank on the field but the most amazing person off field. It was amazing.

“I genuinely look up to Robbo and how she plays and how she has a second gear. She will always go 110 per cent, no matter who she is playing for.

“I just hope I do her proud, as well as the state. I hope I can play my game and make Queensland proud and let Robbo know her jersey is safe.”

Polata has gone from strength to strength in 2023. She first moved from her hometown of Brisbane to live in Townsville, in the hopes of getting outside of her comfort zone.

She was then picked up by the Mackay Cutters in the BMD Premiership where she had a stunning season, before signing with the North Queensland Cowboys for their upcoming inaugural NRLW season.

Polata was then selected as the Maroons 18th player for Game I. To now be named on the wing for Game II was no surprise to those in the game given her BMD Premiership form, but for the young back, it was an anxious wait to hear if she was in the squad yet again.

“I was actually at work last week, on Tuesday or Wednesday and I was in my year seven maths class,” the Kirwan State High School teacher aide said.

“I was working and then I saw (Queensland coach Tahnee Norris) had called me and I’d missed it. I knew she would call us some time that week and I was like, ‘oh my God, I can’t believe I missed her call'. 

“I spoke to the teacher and then I ducked out and was trying to call her in the staff room. She didn’t answer so I sent a text and she called me back and I ran out of class back to the staff room.

“It started off as a casual conversation about NRLW pre-season, my body, how I’ve been going and then she said, ‘are you ready to go?’.

“She said, ‘I hope you’re ready to go because I’ll be naming you in that starting wing spot'.

“I didn’t say much. Gradually throughout the conversation, I said thank you but I just couldn’t believe it was happening. I went back into my class and I was just smiling.”

Polata will head into camp with the rest of the Harvey Norman Queensland Maroons today - Friday, June 16 - with the team set to do their full preparations in Townsville ahead of the game on Thursday, June 22, at Queensland Country Bank Stadium.

She is not feeling the nerves yet, but is feeling a lot of confidence having been in the team environment for Game I.

Polata soaked up everything around her ahead of the series opener and she said that time with Norris, the coaching staff and the playing group will be a massive help ahead of her debut.

“I personally didn’t feel any less part of the team, I didn’t feel like I wasn’t playing,” she said of Game I.

“All the girls made me feel so welcome and Tahnee would say that while I was 18th player at the time, I had to stay ready, I could come on at any minute.

“I went in with the full mentality that I was going to take the field. I trained wherever they wanted to put me - I was training at wing, fullback, back row.

“I took the time to soak in being in Origin camp but also learnt the different positions to the best of my ability so that I’d be confident enough to go into that position if I needed to, 100 per cent ready.

“Being part of that squad, it was a really big learning curve for me. I got to prepare like I was taking the field. The girls were amazing, the coaching staff were just great.

“I never felt segregated, alone or by myself. It’s amazing how inclusive everyone was with everything. I loved camp.

“Now that I’m going to be making my debut, it’s definitely helped get the jitters out and I know what’s expected.

“I’m confident in myself and hopefully Tahnee is confident in me that I’ll turn up on the 22nd and put on a show as much as I can.”