The Wests Tigers pulled off a huge coup leading into the Easter Monday NRL showdown against the Eels, by signing five new NRLW players, all taken from Parramatta.
Former Eels centre Rikeya Horne, forward Christian Pio and middle-forward Najvada George, who played for Parramatta in their grand final against the Knights last year, are among the Tigers’ new signings, along with Tess Staines and Losana Lutu who appeared for the team during the regular season.
It’s a major blow for Parramatta who have already lost experienced duo Simaima Taufa and Ashleigh Quinlan to new team Canberra, and fullback Gayle Broughton to the Broncos.
But it’s a massive boost for the Tigers in their inaugural NRLW season, with the players joining Kezie Apps, Sarah Togatuki and captain Botille Vette-Welsh, who were announced as the club’s first signings last week.
Head coach Brett Kimmorley said it was crucial to have experienced players form the first part of his squad.
“I think it’s brilliant that we have been able to attract such quality players for our first season,” Kimmorley said. “These players bring a wealth of NRLW experience, and that’s crucial for us in year one.”
(L-R) Tess Staines, Losana Lutu, Christian Pio and Rikeya Horne are joining the Wests Tigers in 2023.Credit: NRL Imagery
But the Tigers aren’t a foreign club for most of the new signings, with four of the five new players having represented the club in the NSW premiership-winning women’s team last year.
Campbelltown junior Lutu, who played in the Eels’ opening game of the 2022 NRLW season and was also five-eighth for the NSW under 19s in Origin, said she was excited to play for her home team.
“I’ve played all my footy in Campbelltown growing up and so now to be able to represent Wests Tigers, is just amazing,” Lutu said.
“I want other young girls to see that there is a pathway to the NRLW, and you can do it from anywhere in south-west Sydney.”
It’s also a homecoming of sorts for Staines, George and Pio, who all propelled their NRLW careers on the back of performances for the Tigers in the NSW league.
“I started with Wests Tigers a few years ago but then went to the Eels to get an NRLW opportunity,” Pio said.
“I’m stoked to be playing for the club in its first season and I want to set an example for other young girls in Sydney’s west.”
Since the contract window opened for NRLW players two weeks ago, clubs have been slowly building their teams for the upcoming season.
With the introduction of four new teams this year – the Wests Tigers, Sharks, Raiders and Cowboys – existing NRLW talent has scattered across clubs, with players eager to take up multi-year contracts in the first year they have been available to them.
Clubs must have their top 24 players contracted by May 24 with pre-season training to begin on May 29.
The 2023 season will start on July 22, and the draw is expected to be released this week.
Stream the NRL Premiership 2023 live and free on 9Now.
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