Vanessa Foliaki calls it a “dream of a week”.
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The former Orange Hawks and Group 10 league tag gun on Sunday was revealed as one of the Sydney Roosters’ marquee signings for the inaugural National Rugby League Women's Premiership that will kick-off later in the year ahead of Friday night’s first women’s State of Origin clash at North Sydney Oval.
Foliaki has represented NSW on several occasions, including the 2016 drought-breaking victory over Queensland, ending the Maroons’ 17-year dominance over their NSW rivals.
But never before has the women’s inter-state clash had the State of Origin banner and the 24-year-old from Orange is jumping out of her skin in anticipation of the history-making clash.
But, in many ways, Foliaki should be used to ticking off firsts.
Since moving from Orange, where she played a lot of representative rugby union, Foliaki has gone on to represent Australia and NSW Country, in what was a first for the country girls, and was part of that 2016 NSW side that knocked off Queensland for the first time in nearly two decades with a courageous 8-4 win to claim the Nellie Doherty Cup.
From a quietly spoken five-eighth with Orange Emus to one of the most respected forwards in women’s rugby league, Foliaki’s rise has been meteoric.
So much so, she never dreamed of being part of Friday night’s State of Origin, which, in another first, will be shown live on free-to-air television in prime time.
“No, never,” was Foliaki’s response when asked if she thought playing for NSW in an origin game was possible.
“When I was in Orange I played rugby union and then when I moved to Sydney I transitioned to league in 2014 … I played three games of league and was then picked for NSW and eventually got picked in Jillaroos squad as well.”
Where she’s essentially been a lock as far as selection goes since.
But, despite being one of Australia’s best performers since debuting in green and gold at the 2015 Auckland Nines, Foliaki didn’t expect to be part of the first NSW women’s origin side.
“Not really, I was part of the squad but there was 30 girls ... I was hoping that I was in and (coach Ben Cross) gave me the call and said I was starting as lock,” she said.
To sign a contract with the Roosters and make NSW is a dream of a week.
- Vanessa Foliaki
“To sign a contract with the Roosters and make NSW is a dream of a week. I can’t wait for the challenge at the end of the week.”
Folaiki is one of seven Jillaroos in the NSW side and, along with Kezie Apps and Talesha Quinn, forms an all-Australian back-row, an undeniable strength of this Blues side.
Quinn is from Parkes, while Apps is from Helensborough on the state’s south coast, all three played for NSW Country for the first time this year too.
While Quinn and Foliaki also took part in the southern versus northern country trial at Mudgee, a game a host of Group 10’s most promising women’s players also got a taste of.
Foliaki backed those Group 10 girls to one day reach the same heights she is currently enjoying.
“I used to play against Rebecca (Ford) in the league tag and Ella Harris was in (the country trial) too, I think they just need a bit more experience and exposure and once they get that there’s no reason they can’t play a high level, too,” she added.