Campbelltown juniors Emily and Sophie Curtain are poised to become the first twins to play NRLW this Sunday.
Emily will be in the Wests Tigers starting side as halfback for the historic opening round match against Parramatta Eels in the 2023 NRLW Premiership.
Sophie has been named on the bench in the number 14 number and is certain to be joining her sister on the field at some stage.
The twins were part of the Wests Tigers 2022 Harvey Norman Women’s premiership-winning team from last year.
“It’s amazing that you can now go from Under 14s to NRLW at the same club,’’ Emily said during the pre-season.
“To be one of the first girls to go through the pathways at the club is a great achievement.
“I think it shows younger girls what is possible with hard work and persistence.’’
NRLW coach Brett Kimmorley has named 13 players who were part of that triumph for Sunday’s match.
They include the Curtain twins and co-captains Kezie Apps and Botille Vette-Welsh.
Pauline Piliae-Rasabale is one of eight players in line to make her NRLW debut.
The former Wallaroo has been handed the number six jersey for the season-opener against the Eels, with NSW Under 19s-star Losana Lutu named on the interchange bench.
Eighteen of the 22 players in the extended squad to face the Eels have played in Wests Tigers pathways teams.
TEAM LIST:
1. Botille Vette-Welsh
2. Jakiya Whitfeld
3. Rikeya Horne
4. Leianne Tufuga
5. Josie Lenaz
6. Pauline Piliae-Rasabale
7. Emily Curtain
8. Sarah Togatuki
9. Ebony Prior
10. Christian Pio
11. Kezie Apps
12. Eliza Siilata
13. Najvada George
INTERCHANGE:
14. Sophie Curtain
15. Losana Lutu
16. Taylor Osborne
17. Folau Vaki
Reserves:
18. Jessica Kennedy
19. Rebecca Pollard
20. Bianca Bennetts
21. Salma Nour
22. Imogen Gobran
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In NRL men news, Wests Tigers coach Tim Sheens last night named his 22-man squad for Thursday’s Round 21 match against St George Illawarra Dragons at WIN Stadium.
There are a couple of changes to the backline that started in the 34-18 loss to Newcastle last Friday night.
Daine Laurie and David Nofoaluma return to the side for the clash with the Dragons in Wollongong, pushing Will Smith and Asu Kepaoa to the extended bench.
Shawn Blore comes into the starting side at lock with Fonua Pole named as an interchange forward.
Tallyn Da Silva also returns to the NRL after playing NSW Cup last weekend.
Stefano Utoikamanu will make his 50th NRL appearance.
WESTS TIGERS NRL MEN TEAM V ST GEORGE:
1. Jahream Bula
2. David Nofoaluma
3. Starford To’a
4. Tommy Talau
5. Junior Tupou
6. Daine Laurie
7. Brandon Wakeham
8. Stefano Utoikamanu
9. Apisai Koroisau (c)
10. David Klemmer
11. Isaiah Papali’i
12. John Bateman
13. Shawn Blore
Interchange:
14. Tallyn Da Silva
15. Fonua Pole
16. Alex Seyfarth
17. Alex Twal
Reserves:
18. Aitasi James
19. Jake Simpkin
20. Will Smith
21. Asu Kepaoa
22. Justin Matamua
