Millie Boyle, by her own reckoning, hardly fits the mould of a traditional prop. But then you see the fends that send Emma Tonegato and Keeley Davis to the turf, and you’re convinced there is no better place for her.
Highlight-reel plays like the semi-final try that helped the Knights to an NRLW decider are what make Boyle one of the most recognisable and consistently dominant players in the game. Fail to stop her at Accor Stadium on Sunday, and Parramatta can all but kiss their premiership hopes goodbye.
“There’s a lot of people in my position that are doing very similar things,” Boyle said.
Only, there isn’t. Boyle leads the competition in running metres with an average of 189 a game, clear of superstar backs Tonegato and Isabelle Kelly. She has more post-contact metres than any other player and she is the equal leading forward for tackle breaks. The only forward whose name is listed quite as consistently is Parramatta lock Simaima Taufa.
Boyle, quite literally, is built different. At 182 centimetres, she towers over every other player on the park in Sunday’s grand final. It makes bringing her down a two-player job at the very least, allowing the 24-year-old to capitalise with second-phase play.
There is a purity in the collision in women’s rugby league that harks back to a bygone era. Rugby league Immortal Andrew Johns spoke of it with Jim Dymock recently, the latter saying the women’s game is a reminder of how rugby league was played in the 1990s. It is open, fast and bereft of the wrestle, but Boyle says the landscape will soon shift.
Millie Boyle has played a huge role in Newcastle’s march to a maiden NRLW grand final appearance.Credit:Getty
“To be honest, more wrestle means you get more time in the tackle, which means your players can get set more. ‘Pure’ just means not as developed,” Boyle said.
“Ideally, we’d love to be able to wrestle more to get our defensive line set more. It’s just that we’re not really there yet. I know a lot of people say it’s like that, but it’s honestly because we’re not at that next level.
“We did a little bit of [wrestling] just once a week during the pre-season, which was great to add into training. Adding more of that into it and getting more consistent, and playing with the same bunch of girls for a longer period of time definitely helps.”
Boyle’s arrival in Newcastle signalled the start of a stunning turnaround. Wooden spooners just months ago, the star prop who has already won two premierships with the Broncos was heralded as a marquee signing.
So much of Newcastle’s success has hinged on Boyle, a former rugby union international whose athleticism and relentless work ethic have helped turn a new-look side into a competition heavyweight.
“I’m probably not the traditional prop; I played back row in rugby union,” Boyle said.
“I’m not very fast or skilful, but I can move for a long period of time. It’s just about getting yourself set in a position early so you’re always an option. They don’t have to throw the ball my way; they can throw it out the back, they can go themselves, they can put a kick in, they can do whatever. If I’m set there to take a run if they need me to, then I’m up for it.”
Watch the NRL grand final exclusive, live and free on Channel 9 and 9Now.
Sports news, results and expert commentary. Sign up for our Sport newsletter.
