Lofipo eyes maroon future after inclusion in Queensland squad

Sienna Lofipo hopes she is on the path to future State of Origin glory after the teenage whiz was named as the 19th player in the Harvey Norman Queensland Maroons Game II squad.

The 18-year-old playmaker has had a breakout season in 2023, first helping steer the Wynnum Manly Seagulls to the BMD Premiership grand final before picking up a Gold Coast Titans NRLW contract and earning selection in the Queensland Under 19 women’s 24-player squad.

Then just last week she was told to give Maroons coach Tahnee Norris a call – and the news from the other end of the line was not what she expected.

“I found out at my Titans training,” Lofipo said of her call up into the Maroons squad.

“I actually rang Tahnee because when I went to training, everyone was like, ‘did you hear anything from Tahnee today?’. I was like, ‘no, what?’

“So (Titans coach Karyn Murphy) told me to ring Tahnee.

“Because of the Queensland 19s also coming up, I thought it was going to be bad news saying I couldn’t play anymore or something so I was freaking out.

“But Tahnee was like, ‘we’d love you to be part of our squad’ and I was in shock. No words were coming out and I was like, ‘are you sure you’ve got the right person?’

“It was surprising. Murph was so happy for me. She said she had spoken to Tahnee and they had spoken about how I was right for the position.”

Lofipo just came out of a weekend-long Under 19 camp where Norris was involved and she felt it gave her an insight into what to expect over the coming week in the Maroons environment.

The Harvey Norman Queensland Maroons arrived in Townsville yesterday and will be in town until game day at Queensland Country Bank Stadium on Thursday, June 22.

Lofipo will get to be part of the whole experience, including today’s fan day in Townsville at The Strand from 3pm.

She said she is going into the camp ready for whatever is thrown at her and is hopeful of learning from some of the best in the game, including fellow halves Tarryn Aiken, Zahara Temara and Ali Brigginshaw.

“I just know it’s going to be super intense,” Lofipo said.

“Tahnee’s an amazing coach and was around for the 19s camp so I think it’ll be similar - super intense and at a fast pace.

“She said that I’m going to learn a lot and it’s going to be beneficial and give me some exposure.

“Being around all those elite players, I know it’s going to be a good week.

“I’m just excited to learn from the whole squad. I know they have a lot of knowledge and talent, but as a half it will especially be Tarryn, Zahara and Ali… that trio plus Tahnee.

“I’ve played against Zee but never worked with her or Tarryn either so I have lots to learn, that’s for sure - the way they control the game, just everything really.

“They are just very experienced players and they’re the best in the game as the Origin halves. It will be cool to learn everything they know or try to, at least.”

The other key takeaway for Lofipo this week is to remember that she deserves to be where she is today.

As she looks around the squad, she can see a number of other players who have been in the Harvey Norman Queensland Maroons system for a while and are now in the starting team, including Game I debutants Romy Teitzel, Emma Manzelmann and Keilee Joseph.

Lofipo said knowing she is viewed as a potential future Origin player is a huge boost and something she will continue to work towards beyond this camp.

“When I spoke to Tahnee, she reminded me why I’m there and to bring what I know,” Lofipo said.

“She just told me I deserve to be there. I said I was freaking out a bit and she said I’m there for a reason and nerves are good but don’t let it get the best of me, I guess.

“This year, it’s an opening for the future and setting that point that I can get there. It shows me to keep working hard and I can get wherever I want if I work for it.

“Origin is that next step up. I want to learn how that feels. I know it will feel amazing and this will be my push to keep getting there and to keep working hard.”