Stuart McLennan
Final year veterinary student and former Wests Tigers NRLW player, Claudia Nielsen, is proving to be a handy addition for the NSW Universities women's team that narrowly won the inaugural interstate challenge match against Queensland last year.
NSW Universities Captain Sophie Curtain, also formerly at Wests Tigers, described Nielsen as “probably the greatest teammate you’ll ever have.”
“She's always willing to do extras. She trains harder than almost anyone I know, super fit, super fast, super strong and very selfless,” said Curtain, who will reunite with Nielsen at South Sydney in the NSW Women's Premiership this year.
Nielsen was set to join the NSW side in 2025 however her NRLW commitments meant she had to withdraw.
“I spoke to (NSW Universities head coach) Scott Clark last year and he asked me to play,” Nielsen explained.
“Not being with an NRLW squad this year I have a bit more freedom to play extra tournaments. It's my last year of university as well so I thought I may as well do what I can as a uni student.
The experienced outside back doesn't have an official leadership position within the team but acknowledges players like Curtain and herself have a role to play with the younger members of the squad.
“Without forcing the issue and being a bit older, and having played high-pressure games, I think it’s about being able to lead the energy,” Nielsen said.
“When you play multiple years at a high level, whether it's in rugby sevens or in the NRLW, understanding that it's a team sport so the best performances come from playing as a team.”
Clark described Nielsen as one of the most professional sports people he knows.
“She’s a person who likes to always improve her game,” he said.
“She'll ask the questions, she'll always want to do better. Her preparation is second to none so bringing her into here is also exposing the other girls to what it's going to take to be at that NRLW level.”
With six returning players he is quietly confident his side will put in another strong performance in Brisbane after securing a 10-6 victory last year at North Sydney Oval.
“The players from last year have carried over the culture and what we brought in from there, and they've really owned that,” Clark said. “The new girls have bought into that, so they've fitted in really well.
“We’ve got a more balanced side than we did last year and the new girls have brought a little bit more professionalism, because of the calibre of game that they've played. We've got women that have played NRLW through to NSW Premiership and Tarsha Gale, so they've all come out of a rep program.
“The players are going to be more understanding of what's involved. The game is going to be a bit higher calibre and it's NSW versus Queensland after all.”
NSW Universities will travel to Brisbane to play Queensland Universities at Leo Williams Oval, Carina on 23 May. The women's fixture starts at 4:30pm with the men’s match at 3pm.
NSW Universities Women's squad: Alysha Bell (Australian College of Physical Education), Tyla Brown (University of Newcastle), Indianna Carroll (Western Sydney University), Macey Cox (University of Newcastle), Sophie Curtain - Captain (University of Wollongong), Afi Fauese (Australian College of Physical Education), April Gray (University of Wollongong), Ebony Greene (University of Newcastle), Bianca Jones (University of Wollongong), Lexis Kaleti (University of Wollongong), Zyon Ligaliga (Australian Catholic University), Imogen Lowe (Western Sydney University), Kiara McGregor (The University of Notre Dame), Elizabeth Montgomery (Australian Catholic University), Claudia Nielsen (University of Sydney), Saja Rifei (Central Queensland University), Chloe Shephard (University of Wollongong), Terri-lee Van Wyk (University Of Newcastle).
