Two back rowers Monalisa Soliola and Chloe Jackson will be the first co-captains of the Harvey Norman NSW Under 19s Women’s side as they try to uphold the Blues three-match winning streak.
When the concept was an Under 18s women’s State of Origin in 2019, NSW won 24-4. It was then changed to Under 19s in 2021 after the game was cancelled in 2020 due to COVID.
NSW won 16-12 in 2021 and 22-6 in 2022 and have no intention of stopping there, with Jackson (North Sydney Bears) and Soliola (Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs).
“Chloe bleeds blue – I’m sure her blood is in fact blue,” said coach Kate Mullaly, who herself creates another milestone being the first female head coach of the NSW Under 19s.
“She’s extremely passionate and just never stops for her teammates.
“Mona is probably our most experienced having played Origin (U19s) last year plus her time in the Harvey Norman NSW Premiership, and she made the NSW City Open women’s team, which is no mean feat.”
Jackson was on the extended bench in 2022 but finally gets on the field in 2023 at No.11.
“Coming back from last year and being 19th and now being co-captain, my family is just as proud as I am,” Jackson said.
“I had my first taste of captaincy leading the Under 19s NSW City team at Nationals (May) and I can’t wait to join Mona. We played some Rugby Sevens against each other before we came to league.
“I much prefer playing with her than against her.”
Jackson said having two second rowers on the field won’t cause any confusion when it comes to talking to the referee or making decisions.
“We’ve spoken about it and all it will take is us looking at each other and we’ll know whose turn it is to speak.”
Soliola said Mullaly caught her by surprise by selecting her but she felt the time was right. She is one of two survivors from the 2022 winning side with Losana Lutu (Wests Tigers).
“I was a bit shocked when she told me but at the same time I feel prepared to take on this role,” Soliola said.
“I’m happy to get the girls going and I feel my game is compatible with getting that done.
“I’ve also tried to distribute my knowledge around the girls.”
Mullaly’s progression sees her take on the U19s head coach role after being Origin coach Kylie Hilder’s assistant for the past two years, and Brad Donald’s Jillaroos assistant at the 2021 World Cup.
She retired as a player in 2019 and was assistant to Daniel Lacey in the NSW U18s that year.
“Towards the end of my playing career I knew I wanted to be on the other side and start coaching,” Mullaly said.
“I’ve watched footy since I was old enough to see a TV. I’d just stare at it and soak it all in.
“I think it’s important to get the variety of female coaches for the girls, rather than having male coaches all the time. The women’s game is different and has its own characteristics and issues.”
Mullaly is due to give birth to her first child in October but pregnancy hasn’t interfered with coaching.
“When I’m on the field, my brain is on the field – it all still works the same,” she said.
“Maybe I’m a little slower in my actions and make sure I’m not doing too many physical demonstrations of what I want – I leave that to my coaching staff.
“But everything else goes out the window. I’m here to help the girls win.”
