Get to know your 2026 Westpac NSW Under 19s Women
The Westpac NSW Under 19s Women will be looking to continue their recent success when they take on the Queensland Under 19s Women at North Sydney Oval tonight. After lifting the shield in 2024 and successfully defending it in 2025, NSW will be aiming to extend their winning run by securing a third consecutive Under 19s State of Origin victory.
Coached by Courtney Crawford, get to know your Women’s Squad below:
1. Mia Vaotuua
Club: Sydney Roosters. Position: Fullback.
Originally from the Central Coast, Vaotuua has quickly established herself as one of the Rooster's most exciting talents. Capable of playing across the back-line, she is renowned for her speed, attacking instincts and try-scoring ability. The try-scoring ability is highlighted by a four-try haul in the Lisa Fiaola Cup last year. She has since progressed into the Tarsha Gale Cup system, representing NSW Country as Player of the Match in the most recent Country v City fixture, and has since earned a Roosters NRLW development contract.
2. Liesl Hopoate
Club: Sydney Roosters. Position: Wing.
Hopoate returns for her second consecutive Westpac NSW Under-19s Women's State of Origin campaign after another impressive year in the Roosters system. A dangerous finisher with explosive speed and skill, she has developed through the pathway programs at Manly, the Illawarra Steelers and now the Roosters. The talented winger continues to build on her family’s rich Rugby League legacy while establishing a name of her own.
3. Anastasia Leatupue
Club: Sydney Roosters. Position: Centre.
Still only 17 years old, Leatupue is regarded as one of the brightest young outside backs in the women’s game. Blessed with a powerful running game, sharp footwork and strong ball-handling skills, she has already earned Australian Schoolgirl honours while playing an age group up in Year 11. Her continued development through the Roosters pathways system has also been rewarded with an NRLW development contract.
4. Logan Fletcher
Club: Sydney Roosters. Position: Centre/Wing/Fullback.
Fresh off her NRLW debut season, Fletcher returns to representative football as one of the Roosters' most exciting outside backs. Comfortable at centre, wing or fullback, she is known for her acceleration, aerial ability and reliable kicking game. Earning Matraville Sports High School's Female Athlete of the Year honours alongside national Australian Schoolgirls selection, Fletcher remains contracted with the Roosters until the end of 2028.
5. Freedom Crichton-Ropati
Club: Parramatta Eels. Position: Wing.
Quickly emerging as one of the game's most promising talents, Crichton-Ropati’s selection in the NSW Under 19s caps off an outstanding Junior Representatives season with the Parramatta Eels. A powerful outside back who combines speed with strong finishing ability, she played a key role in the Eels' Tarsha Gale Cup premiership victory and was named Player of the Match in the Grand Final. Her performances also earned her selection for NSW City, while she has been rewarded with an NRLW development contract for 2026.
6. Skye Spencer
Club: Illawarra Steelers. Position: Five-Eighth.
Spencer is one of the most highly regarded young playmakers in the women’s game. The Australian Schoolgirls representative combines sharp footwork, creativity and strong game awareness, making her a constant threat with the ball in hand. After transitioning from touch football, she has already gained valuable experience when she bypassed standard age restrictions to make a highly successful transition into in the NSW Women’s Premiership, and secured a future NRLW opportunity with the Dragons.
7. Kiara McGregor
Club: South Sydney Rabbitohs. Position: Halfback.
McGregor capped off another impressive campaign by claiming South Sydney’s Tarsha Gale Cup Player of the Year award for a second straight season. The talented halfback is known for her composure, game management and strong kicking game, which helped steer the Rabbitohs throughout the season. Her form earned her a promotion into the NSW Women’s Premiership, where she will continue to develop against senior opposition.
8. Emily McArthur
Club: Newcastle Knights. Position: Prop.
Leadership has been a hallmark of McArthur’s development, captaining Newcastle's Tarsha Gale Cup side throughout the 2026 season. The Australian Schoolgirls representative is known for her toughness through the middle, relentless defensive efforts and strong post-contact metres. Her performances have established her as one of the young standout forwards in the Knights pathways system, drawing comparisons to NRLW superstar Yasmin Meakes.
9. Tori Shipton
Club: Illawarra Steelers. Position: Hooker.
Shipton has enjoyed a rapid rise through the ranks, progressing from Tarsha Gale Cup to NRLW football within a short period of time. The energetic hooker is known for her sharp service from dummy-half and tireless work rate around the ruck. Making her NRLW debut for the Dragons in Round 6 of last year, Shipton is returning for her second consecutive Westpac NSW Under 19s Women's State of Origin series after also representing Australia in the Prime Minister's XIII last year.
10. Taylah Falaniko
Club: Parramatta Eels. Position: Prop.
Falaniko has become a key figure in Parramatta’s forward pack and played a major role in the club’s Tarsha Gale Cup premiership success. A hard-running middle forward who thrives on the physical contest, she is equally effective with her defensive workload. Her consistency has earned her back-to-back NSW City selections, while she has also represented her heritage with the NSW Samoa Under 18 Girls Squad.
11. Lacey Cross
Club: Newcastle Knights. Position: Second Row.
One of the most damaging edge forwards in the competition, Cross has continued her rise since joining the Newcastle Knights from the Sydney Roosters system. Renowned for her powerful carries and ability to bend defensive lines, she was a standout throughout the Knights Tarsha Gale Cup season. Cross was previously recognised as the Roosters Tarsha Gale Cup Players' Player and Best and Fairest in 2025 before making the move north.
12. Fontayne Tufuga
Club: Parramatta Eels. Position: Second Row.
Tufuga has already tasted NRLW football, making her debut for the Parramatta Eels as an 18-year-old last season, having two high-impact appearances off the interchange bench. A former standout in little athletics, she recently committed her future to the Eels until the end of 2028 and remains one of the club's most exciting young players. On the field, her athletic background translates through her explosive running style and ability to break tackles.
13. Khyliah Gray (c)
Club: Parramatta Eels. Position: Lock.
Named captain of the Westpac NSW Under 19s side, Gray has emerged as one of the most versatile young players in the women’s game. Comfortable at lock, five-eighth or through the middle, she combines physicality with excellent ball-playing ability and strong leadership. The 2026 Tarsha Gale Cup Player of the Series has already featured in the NSW Women’s Premiership and recently earned an upgrade to a supplementary NRLW contract with the Eels.
14. Ava Jones
Club: Parramatta Eels. Position: Utility.
Returning for her second consecutive Westpac NSW Under 19s Women's State of Origin, Jones was a key figure in Parramatta’s Tarsha Gale Cup premiership-winning season. The crafty dummy-half is renowned for her speed and ability to identify opportunities around the ruck. She also represented NSW City this year and has excelled in touch football, earning selection for both the Hills Hornets and NSW Blues programs.
15. Ella Walker
Club: Penrith Panthers. Position: Prop.
Walker is a powerful middle forward who has earned consecutive Australian Schoolgirls selections throughout her junior career. A dominant ball-runner who thrives in contact, she has become a standout performer in the Panthers pathways system. Her sporting achievements extend beyond Rugby League, with representative honours in Rugby Union and Rugby Sevens helping her earn a prestigious NSWCHS Blue Award.
16. Stella Lewis
Club: Newcastle Knights. Position: Utility.
Despite being one of the youngest members in the squad, Lewis has already made a significant impact in the Newcastle Knights system. A powerful forward who relishes contact, she can play through the middle or on an edge while maintaining a high work rate. The Knights identified her potential early, signing her to a long-term NRLW deal as she continues to develop into one of the country’s most promising young forwards.
17. Tahlia O’Brien
Club: Illawarra Steelers. Position: Utility.
O’Brien returns to the Westpac Under 19s Women's State of Origin arena after first earning selection in 2025. A versatile forward capable of filling a number of roles, she has steadily progressed through the Steelers pathways system before making her NRLW debut with the St George Illawarra Dragons last season. Her development has also been recognised with representative honours for NSW Country.
18. Irae Savea
Club: Parramatta Eels. Position: Utility.
Savea is regarded as one of the most exciting young prospects in the women’s game and continues to rise through the Parramatta pathways system. Comfortable across multiple positions, she is known for her positional awareness, safe hands and ability to create opportunities in broken play. Her talent has already been recognised with a long-term NRLW development contract through to 2027, as she also works as a dedicated junior referee within the local league when she isn't playing.
19. Tyra Dymock
Club: Sydney Roosters. Position: Prop.
Rugby League runs in the family for Dymock, whose father Jim and sister Tegan have both enjoyed success at the highest level. The versatile forward has developed through the Roosters pathways system and is capable of making an impact though the middle or on an edge. Her strong progression saw her earn a NSW Women’s Premiership debut last season as she continues to establish herself as one of the club’s emerging talents.
20. Aaliyah Soufan
Club: Parramatta Eels. Position: Utility.
A composed and intelligent playmaker, Soufan has been a key contributor to Parramatta’s recent success at junior representatives level. Her vision, passing game and ability to control matches helped guide the Eels to back-to-back Tarsha Gale Cup premierships. Those performances also caught the eye of senior selectors, earning an NRLW development contract as she continues her progression through the club’s pathways program.
Click here for tickets to tonights Under 19s State of Origin at North Sydney Oval.
