It can be certain that Lucyannah Luamanu-Leiataua will never forget her NRLW debut… and either will anyone else in attendance.
The torrential weather at McDonald Jones Stadium made for an interesting backdrop to the 18-year-old’s first appearance in the top grade but she looks set for many more opportunities in the senior squad in the future.
The first Wests Tigers NRLW player to come through every female Pathways grade at the club, ‘Lucy’ has gone from co-captaining the U/19’s Tarsha Gale Cup side earlier in the season, to playing in the NSW Women’s Premiership, to now featuring in an impressive 42 minute stint at NRLW level over the weekend.
And she couldn’t be happier.
“ Running out on the field, it was pretty surreal,” Luamanu-Leiataua said.
“ My family was sitting right next to the tunnel so I could hear them.
“As soon as I ran out I did feel the energy and the love, and even just walking out with the girls to get to the tunnel, everyone was backing me up already.”
With the lightning storm on the day ultimately leading to a mid-game delay, the youngster found the funny side in the at-times relentless weather.
“ I saw Noddy without a jacket and I thought, ‘I should probably offer mine up’ but it was so freaking cold,” she joked.
“ It was actually crazy, we were five, maybe six minutes into the second half and they called it off and we went back in.
“ It genuinely felt like the game was over, I was ready to go home.”
An Eagle Vale St Andrews junior, the tearaway back-rower said it was a special moment playing with and against some of her NRLW heroes.
“I went to rush Olivia Kernick and just thought wow, that’s actually her. Even just seeing Tarryn Aiken in the opposing half.
“And with Kezie, even when we first started training together it was pretty unreal for me and then being able to get on the field with her is ten times better.
“She’s just so caring, and on the field she’s always chatting to me, no matter what situation we’re in.”
As the youngest member of the NRLW squad, the likes of captain Apps and some of the other leaders in the side have taken it upon themselves to take Luamanu-Leiataua under their wing, something she appreciates greatly.
“ I think Sala is such a great mentor. She's so sweet and caring and I think she's definitely someone that I want to be like off the field, she’s just so loving.
“That's definitely something I strive to be like.
“ I definitely did struggle at the start of the season to find things I have in common with other people just 'cause I'm a bit younger than some of the girls but not anymore.”
Only graduating high school last year, Lucy admits to being shocked at how quickly her progression into the NRLW system has taken place but is enjoying every second of it.
“ It has been pretty crazy.
“ My family have really motivated me and they’re really proud now, it’s pretty cool.
“I didn't think that's how fast it was going to be able to happen for me but I'm really enjoying it.”
