Sapphires to watch at Women's National Championships

“There’s a lot of girls that deserve and opportunity in the NRLW, or have the ability to push to that next level, so we want to make sure they play good footy, feel confident, enjoy themselves and make the most of the opportunity.”

Tua-Davidson said coming up against Fiji first would be challenging, but it was a challenge they were ready for.

“It’s hard to know what to expect because they’re new to the tournament… when we play New South Wales, we know what to expect, but with the new nations you don’t necessarily know… I think it will be tough,” Tua-Davidson said.

“We have a few things we want to focus on in that game, some specific goals, and if we can achieve those and get through the game, then we can build from there.”

With the national championships hosted and co-ordinated by the NRL as development and talent identification opportunity, Sapphires squad members can catch the eye of NRLW clubs with strong performances.
 

Players cannot have played more than two NRLW games previously and they cannot hold a current NRLW contract or development player contract. 

The Harvey Norman Women's National Championships is being played at UAA Park at Burleigh from March 21-24.

Five Queensland Sapphires players to watch out for

1. Emily Veivers - Norths Devils

“She is one of the most experienced BMD Premiership players we have, even though she’s really young, she’s played five or six seasons. But she has had a number of horrific injuries. Last year she had a really bad collar bone break but she has come back fitter than ever. Emily is a real natural leader. She holds herself really well… she’s a leader on the field and off the field. Everything she does is very much about the team. It’s not about her as an individual, which potentially has been to her detriment in the past because she’s always worried about the team doing well and giving everything to the team. But she’s a strong runner, she works really hard to be fit. She’ll be starting second row for us.”

2. Zoe Cook - Western Clydesdales

“Zoe has been in and out of the pathways. She played the first women’s national champs at Redcliffe about four years ago, but she has had a fair few injuries and niggles. It’s really nice to see her back in this space with this opportunity. She’ll be our other second rower. She runs really strong lines and finds space when she carries the ball. Her effort on effort is really good. And like Emily, she has a presence that gives the halves a bit of calm.”

3. Makayla Henry - Sunshine Coast Falcons

“It’s really exciting to have the three Sunshine Coast girls in this squad given they’re a new team in the BMD Premiership. They’ve had a really strong club competition up there but a lot of the girls haven’t had the opportunity to be in these spaces or have as much  exposure as they will here. Makayla, who will play fullback for us, is an eyes-up footy player, a natural footy player who finds space, finds holes, runs really great support lines. And she’s quick.”

4. Georgia Sim - Western Clydesdales

“Georgia, in a new team in the BMD Premiership as well, with the Western Clydesdales. Rugby 7s convert. She has wheels… she’s quick but still learning the game. She’s got a six-month-old baby in camp with us. You’d never bloody know she had a baby six months ago. She’s an exciting natural talent. She’s come into the game a bit older but I think that maturity and willingness to learn is a good example for the other girls. She’s a really good role model. She’ll be on our left wing.”

5. Bree Spreadborough - Central Queensland Capras

“Bree will be on our right wing. She is super fit. She’s from Capras so has been a really good player in a team that hasn’t always done well. I think when you can stand up in a team that’s not doing well, it says something about your character. She’s crazy fit… gets 4.50 in the bronco, which I don’t think I’ve ever heard of from a BMD Premiership player. I thought they had numbers around the wrong way but no. I think she’s another one that probably hasn’t had an opportunity like this. She’s another one that’s a little bit older, waiting for an opportunity. She could’ve moved from Capras but she’s stayed there, she’s local, she wants that team to do really well. It’s great to have her in the team. I think the only reason she hasn't been picked up for NRLW is because the Capras didn’t do so well last year so no one was watching. This is a very good opportunity for her.”