EXCITING, BALANCED TRILLO METALS WOMEN’S CANTERBURY BULLS SQUAD NAMED FOR NZRL PREMIERSHIP CAMPAIGN
The Trillo Metals Women’s Canterbury Bulls squad for the 2024 NZRL SKY Sports Women’s Premiership has been named, featuring 11 members of last year’s team.
Despite vying for the services of representative players with rugby union following the commencement of the Farah Palmer Cup, incoming Trillo Metals Women’s Canterbury Bulls coach Joseph Mika is elated with the side they have assembled.
“There’s players juggling two codes but these girls are a massive asset to our team and basically make up our spine – we’re so happy to have them on board,” Mika says.
Six members of Sydenham Swans’ line-up that defeated Hornby Panthers 20-12 in Sunday’s high-quality CRL Bartercard Women’s Premiership grand final have been included, along with two Swans players who missed the match through injury, Manea-Faith Waaka and Irene MacArthur. Eight Panthers players feature in the Trillo Metals Women’s Canterbury Bulls squad.
Kyla Lynch-Brown scored two tries and was named player of the match for a brilliant all-round performance in the decider, while Sydenham halves partner – and 2023 Canterbury teammate – Caitlin Sears also starred in the Ngā Puna Wai triumph.
The duo is set to play an integral role in Canterbury’s rep campaign.
“Kyla definitely stepped up and took control in that last 20 minutes, it shows the experience she already has, and Caitlin is just a worker – great pass, kicking game and on attack – and Sydenham’s props were good through the middle,” Mika enthuses.
“Hornby had a lot of young girls and they did very well too, I thought Maneesha (Seebeck) had a great game, and I’m looking forward to working with them.”
The young playmakers and outside backs require an engine-room platform to work off, however, and the likes of Harmony Simailie, Janaya Mata and Karita Agafili will look to lay a similar foundation to the one that helped the Swans to grand final success.
Meanwhile, seasoned leaders Katelyn Arona – an inspiration for the youthful Panthers line-up in 2024 – and Shade McGregor-Pakau, among others, ensure the Trillo Metals Women’s Canterbury Bulls won’t be short on level-headed direction, on and off the field.
“To take these young ones under their wing – we’ve got a couple of 18-year-olds in there in the wider squad to get them developed, used to the system and ready for next year – we’re stoked to have the experienced girls come back for another campaign,” Mika says.
“They bring experience and IQ of the game. Katelyn is massive part of our spine – she’s aggressive, she talks, she’s in there with grit and contact, it’s second nature to her and her whole family are ‘leaguies’ from Hornby.”
While the primary focus is building a strong culture and getting wins in a tough six-team NZRL SKY Sports Women’s Premiership, there’s potentially plenty at stake individually for the Trillo Metals Women’s Canterbury Bulls players.
The expanded 2025 NRLW premiership – with Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs, who have a pathways and development agreement with Canterbury Rugby League, and the Warriors entering teams – presents a huge chance in terms of rugby league career progression.
“It’s a great opportunity for them and hopefully some of our players have a good campaign and get picked up,” Mika says.
“But our team culture this year is going to be about family, wanting to turn up for each other through the lows and highs, treating each other like family – I want it to be a safe learning environment for our girls and build a great team.”
TRILLO METALS WOMEN’S CANTERBURY BULLS WELCOME JOSEPH MIKA AS 2024-25 HEAD COACH
The Trillo Metals Women’s Canterbury Bulls kick off the NZRL SKY Sports Women’s Premiership against Wellington Orcas at Ngā Puna Wai on Sunday, September 8.
They have subsequent home games against Akaran Falcons (September 15) and Counties Manukau Stingrays (September 28), and play away against Auckland Vulcans (September 22) and Waikato (October 5).
The top two teams square off in the final on October 12.
2024 TRILLO METALS WOMEN’S CANTERBURY BULLS SQUAD
Manea-Faith Waaka (Sydenham Swans)
Sailiai Pau (Linwood Keas)
Shade McGregor-Pakau (Woolston Rams)
Dayna Napa (Hornby Panthers)
Paige Allan (Linwood Keas)
Kyla Lynch-Brown (Sydenham Swans)
Terauoriwa (Tori) Harding (Linwood Keas)
Harmony Simaile (Sydenham Swans)
Katelyn Arona (Hornby Panthers)
Janaya Mata (Sydenham Swans)
Usipua Togiaso (Sydenham Swans)
Lupe Manu (Linwood Keas)
Eilish Ramsden (Linwood Keas)
Bayli Rapira (Woolston Rams)
Anika Gates-Thorn (Hornby Panthers)
Karita Agafili (Sydenham Swans)
Stephanie Te Ohaere-Fox (Woolston Rams)
Mary Kanace (Burnham Chevaliers)
Pele Loto (Linwood Keas)
Manisha Seebeck (Hornby Panthers)
Ella Bussey-Timo (Hornby Panthers
Irene MacArthur (Sydenham Swans)
Caitlin Sears (Sydenham Swans)
Sherrane Maui (Burnham Chevaliers)
WIDER SQUAD
Ripena Umaga (Hornby Panthers)
Tyler Limmer (Hornby Panthers)
Tiara Whiley (Hornby Panthers)
Adi Sakura (Eastern Eagles)
