Warriors keeping it in the family

The Bulldogs may be known as the ‘Family Club’ in the NRL, but the Warriors are giving them a run for theirmoney.

Having had the first mother and son to feature in the women’s and men’s competitions in 2018, the Kiwi outfit could have a husband-wife combination playing across the NRL and NRLW by the end of the season.

While Ben Murdoch-masila made a high-profile switch from English club Warrington to the Warriors this season, his wife, Roxy Murdoch, has continued her impressive rugby league career with the Central Coast Roosters in the NSW Women’s Premiership.

Murdoch captained the Warrington women’s side in 2019, showing her dedication to the team when she attended a jersey presentation on her wedding night.

A back-rower like her husband, last year Murdoch was selected in the England Women Performance Squad before representing the Ma¯ori All Stars in their win over the Indigenous All Stars in February.

Murdoch-masila confirmed his wife is eager to test herself in the NRLW when the competition starts later this year. ‘‘She is looking at that, whether it’s with the Warriors or with the current team she’s in. She’s all ready,’’ the Tongan international said.

Murdoch-masila said they avoided critiquing each other’s performances at home, joking that it could turn into ‘‘a bad living space if we did’’.

But he, the couple’s young daughter and the rest of the family love watching Murdoch in action.

‘‘She’s loving it. It’s good for her to get out and take her frustration out on someone else rather than me,’’ Murdoch-masila said.