Maatuleio Fotu-Moala, Kasey Reh, and Bronte Wilson are set to become NRLW Dragons No.85, No.86, and No.87 come Sunday afternoon’s season opener at WIN Stadium.
All three made the leap up to the club’s NRLW squad over the offseason and earn a Round 1 jersey off the back of solid preseason showings.
Fotu-Moala’s rugby league journey has made several stops, but the Auckland-native is thrilled to have found a home at the Dragons with the help of house-slash-teammates Steph Hancock, Sara Sautia, Sophie Clancy and Kimberley Hunt.
“I don’t even want to go back home,” the 25-year-old laughed.
“My housemates, they make it easy for me to stay here. I thought I would be homesick, but the girls have made it easy for me and I’ve really enjoyed my time here.”
An NRLW debut was the last thing on Fotu-Moala’s mind when she made the move across the ditch but, thanks to the help of the club’s coaching staff, her dream is only days away from becoming a reality.
“Coming to Australia, I was supposed to only play Harvey Norman Women’s Premiership, but Sowie took a chance on me,” she said.
“I’m really grateful for this opportunity. For him to just pick me out and, not only just come and train, but debut as well in Round 1 is an honour. I’m grateful for Sowie.”
I’m really grateful for this opportunity. For him to just pick me out and, not only just come and train, but debut as well in Round 1 is an honour. I’m grateful for Sowie.
Maatuleio Fotu-Moala
Fotu-Moala said she was overcome with emotion upon learning that she would be debuting even if it took a while for it to click.
“Honestly, I didn’t even take it in at first because (Sowie) was talking about ‘oh, this New Zealand girl coming all the way and debuting’ and I was like ‘is that me?’” she said.
“And it still didn’t click until he said my name. It’s still so surreal. I’m still trying to adjust to coming into training. I’m over the moon.”
Family is everything for Fotu-Moala – who is the younger sister of NRLW veteran Teuila and older cousin of Dragons NRL winger Christian Tuipulotu – with several of those closest to her making the trip to Australia to support her.
“The one person who has played a big part would be my partner,” she said.
“He’s pushed me through training. He’s even trained me every day because he’s a coach himself. I’m lucky to have him… My brother and little sister are coming too.”
It seems poetic that Reh and Wilson – who have enjoyed most of their rugby league journeys alongside one another – will run out by each other’s side come Sunday for their biggest achievement thus far.
“Me and Kasey have pretty much grown up playing footy together,” Wilson said.
“We played our first game of rugby league together and now we’re here debuting together. It’s pretty amazing.”
“I think it’s really cool to be able to represent home,” Reh said.
“Me and Bronte, we grew up playing a lot of footy together and we’ve come through the Steelers teams together. I’m just really grateful to be able to represent our home and play for our home club. Not a lot of people get to do that.”
The teenage duo won a Tarsha Gale Cup premiership together in April before taking out Under 19s City v Country and Under 19s State of Origin in more recent times with Reh the skipper for all three.
Being handed their maiden Red V jerseys however is set to top the list of highlights in a year already chock-full of highlights.
“Coming off the back of all that and being able to play with the older girls in a bigger game is going to be much more exciting and nerve-racking,” Wilson said.
“It’s been a tough preseason, but I’m pretty glad that it’s over so we can start playing and get some wins… It’ll be much more physical with bigger girls and bigger bodies. It’ll be tougher but we got it.”
“I think it’s definitely going to be my favourite highlight I have this year when I get to run out on that field,” Reh said.
“I think our hard work that we’ve put in training is really going to come off on that field. I’m just really looking forward to showing off all the hard work we’ve been putting in… I’m ready for it and keen for it. I know I’ve got the support of the girls inside and outside of me.”
Wilson became just the second player in NRLW history to be granted an age exemption to make her debut – a decision she is appreciative of.
“I was very excited. No words can really explain what my feelings were, but it was just incredible,” Wilson said.
“My whole work group is coming and my family. Lots of people from home and around this area. It’s so good.”
Reh meanwhile is set to follow uncles Brett and Glenn Stewart onto the big stage and continue her family's rugby league legacy.
“I’m really grateful to get this opportunity and put my best effort in for the girls,” Reh said.
“I’ll have a fair few of my family up in the stands on Sunday, so I’m just grateful to be able to have them behind me. I know they’re always going to be backing me… My family’s the reason I am where I am today. I’m grateful for all the effort they’ve put in behind the scenes to get me here.”
