Leeds Rhinos’ newest recruit Georgia Hale has swapped the Gold Coast for sunny Leeds in a move that is set to take the profile of women’s rugby league even further in the UK. Hale, who made her international debut for the Kiwi Ferns aged 19, began her professional career in 2018 with New Zealand Warriors in the inaugural NRLW season.
But before that, the loose forward had already been named New Zealand Player of the Year at the 2015 RLPA Player’s Champion awards and became the Kiwi Ferns’ vice-captain just two years later. She joins partner Sam Lisone who made the same move from Gold Coast Titans to Rhinos in December.
Hales said: “It was a great opportunity for us both to represent the Rhinos, have an opportunity to travel, move overseas and still chase our footie dream. And we’re so privileged that the game allows us to do that.”
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Hale is also reaccustomed with new coach Lois Forsell, who she played against in the 2017 World Cup semi-final where the Kiwi Ferns smashed England 52-4. She also featured in the repeat fixture at last year’s Rugby League World Cup which crushed England’s trophy charge.
But that’s not all when it comes to the 27-year-old’s English connections. Hale was looking forward to exploring her English heritage through her Nanna. And the Auckland-born lock is in good company with Super League Champions Leeds. She joins forces with fellow new signing and England centre Amy Hardcastle as the club pushes to retain the title.
On her new club, she said: “I’m excited to be a part of that and to keep building from what they’ve created and just to add some of my learning and knowledge along the way.”
Rhinos will look up to one of women’s rugby league’s biggest stars who captained New Zealand Warriors for two seasons before moving to Australia to captain the Tweed Seagulls in the QRLW. Hale averaged 120 running metres and 40 tackles per game in her only season in the QRLW before making the move to Gold Coast Titans in 2021 where she made 19 appearances.
Among her bolstering leadership qualities, Hale has also been praised throughout her career for her community work. In 2020 she was named Young New Zealander of the year for her dedication to supporting local communities in her home country with initiatives that raised thousands.
Last week, Hale joined her new teammates during their pre-season camp in Catterick and Forsell was impressed with how the whole squad, including Hale, got stuck into a series of gruelling team-building activities with the Parachute Regiment.
Forsell said: “I think the work ethic was in evidence from everybody. Georgia landed on Wednesday, she was straight into training on Thursday and then we gave her the option of coming on the Sunday to our pre-season camp. She was absolutely keen to get going and that probably shows a lot about Georgia’s character which is pleasing to see as coaching staff.”
Sky Sports have unveiled plans for three matches to be shown live on the channel. Two of those matches will feature Leeds in a significant step for the game. Last year, the club became the first Women’s Super League club to announce they will pay a winning bonus for every 2023 game in a new move that gives them semi-professional status.
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