MEET FOUR OF THE GOLD COAST TITANS NEWEST NRLW SIGNINGS:
The Gold Coast Titans have secured three State of Oriign representatives and a New Zealand test half as the club’s 2020 NRLW roster continues to take shape.
Two of those, teenage sensations Destiny Brill and Tiana RaftstrandSmith, have been plucked from the clutches of rugby union.
Brill, 18, was the star of the Queensland Reds run to the Super W grand final last month and backed up as hooker in the Maroons State of Origin win over New South Wales.
The tug of war between rugby league and rugby union for her services has been won by the Titans.
“I feel really privileged to be a part of the Titans,” Brill said.
“I chose Gold Coast Titans because of the friends I made during the Origin camp and the offers that were given to me.
“I’d like to thank all of my coaches and my family for helping me get here.”
Tiana Raftstrand-Smith, 19, was a rising star in the Rugby Sevens game but saw the NRLW brighter pathway in the NRLW.
“I grew up playing rugby league in New Zealand and I think the pathways in this sport are getting much better,” the edge forward and former Keebra Park product said.
“Both codes came knocking but I love playing both... hopefully I can go back and play Sevens at some point.”
Queensland Origin prop Shannon Mato will provide a stern edge to a young Titans team in their inaugural AFLW season while Kiwis test half Karli Hansen could unite with fellow New Zealand half Georgia Hale to create a Kiwi Ferns playmaking axis.
The Titans have also signed Karina Brown, Brittany Brailey, Tazmin Gray and Crystal Tamarua.