Like mother, like son at Warriors
Family connection in squad named for women’s NRL
All Lorina Papali’i wanted to do was be a trainer for the inaugural Warriors women’s team, but it was confirmed yesterday she’d cracked the squad.
The 41-year-old mother of Warriors’ second rower, Isaiah Papali’i is one of the 22 named Warriors squad for the short women’s NRL season, which will take place during the playoff rounds of the men’s competition.
Lorina Papali’i had a glittering league career, playing for the Kiwi Ferns from 1994 to 2005, playing in two World Cups, and also represented Samoa in two rugby union World Cups.
But she spent eight years out of the game, to be involved in crossfit, and only put the boots on again when a women’s NRL competition came on the radar.
Initially, she was interested in being the trainer for the team, but was encouraged to give it a go to make the squad.
‘‘I have one life, one opportunity and feel it’s now or never,’’ she said. ‘‘My goal has been hard work this year. I felt like I was hit by a bus.
‘‘I’ve had a lot of treatment, physio, chiro, I’ve hit the pools, I’ve done hot and colds after the game and during the week. So there’s been a lot of rehab for me and my recovery is not as fast as the younger ones.’’
She said she has been inspired to have another crack at league by her son, who is in the Gold Coast this week, with the rest of the men’s team, preparing for Saturday’s game against the Dragons in Wollongong.
‘‘He’s very supportive,’’ Lorina said. ‘‘He’s proud and that’s what gives me the energy to get up each day, to make him proud.’’
Isaiah is just as impressed with his mother, who has been a big influence on his career.
‘‘She’s always at my games giving me feedback. She’s still the master and I’m still trying to learn from her,’’ Isaiah said.
‘‘I grew up watching her play
‘‘She’s still the master and I’m still trying to learn from her.’’ Isaiah Papali’i on his mother Lorina
footy. She was a really good player so watching her and my dad, I was inspired to go on this pathway.’’
If there’s any disappointment from Lorina about making this Warriors squad, it’s that there wasn’t this opportunity for her 20 years ago.
‘‘For the girls I played with in the past, it would have been amazing to have had this kind of pathway,’’ she said. ‘‘I feel like I’m representing the past, the present and this team is paving the way for the future.’’
The Warriors squad also includes Kiwi Ferns captain Laura Mariu and the experienced international Sarina Clark, who missed last year’s World Cup due to the birth of her third child.
But one of the biggest names in either oval ball code, Honey Hireme won’t be with the Warriors, as she and Kiwi Ferns team-mate Raecene McGregor signed to play for the Dragons.
The fact that they were both snapped up highlights how competitive this four-team competition will be. The other teams are the Roosters and Broncos.
‘‘I know a couple of the clubs were very determined in the recruitment of our players,’’ Warriors coach Luisa Avaiki said.
‘‘They’d come over to approach a couple of our girls, even at the national tournament.
‘‘But to be honest, I didn’t know how hard other clubs were going until I heard they were engaging with certain players and then some of our players were going over.
‘‘I know some of those girls well and it was never about holding on to them and saying they have to play for me, it was about what was best for them and their families.’’
The Warriors women will warm up for the competition with a match against Auckland in a doubleheader with the men’s team at Mt Smart Stadium in Auckland on August 10.