NZ Warriors rookie Lydia Turua-Quedley shares NRLW journey with long-distance partner, son
Photo:
Brett Phibbs/www.photosport.nz
Like most of her NZ Warriors teammates, achieving her NRLW dream has not come without sacrifices for rookie halfback Lydia Turua-Quedley.
Three weeks after making her debut off the bench in the Australian women's rugby league competition, Turua-Quedley, 26, will step into the starting line-up against Gold Coast Titans on Saturday, with incumbent Emily Curtain nursing a hip complaint.
The journey has been a circuitous one, taking her through a season with the Auckland Storm rugby team, time off for childbirth, and stints in the Auckland and Queensland club competitions.
She's shared that process with partner Paul Roache, who played four first-grade games for the Warriors in 2023, but now plies his trade at Burleigh Bears on the Gold Coast.
"I've had to move back in with family, but we're really blessed and I'm truly grateful for our family's support with our son, Noah," Turua-Quedley said. "It's hard, but we're really lucky with the support we have.
"There are definitely a lot of Snapchat calls and a lot of sending videos to Paul, just so he has that time with Noah, but in a different way."
Last week, when the Warriors wahine took on Newcastle Knights across the Tasman, Roache drove seven hours down the coast to watch.
Her first start also means a change of responsibilities - Turua-Quedley has previously deputised for hooker Capri Paekau at dummy half, but takes on a more familiar role in the No.7 jersey.
Lydia Turua-Quedley made her NRLW debut against defending champions Sydney Roosters.
Photo:
Mark Kolbe/www.photosport.nz
"I'm normally a halfback anyway, so it's really exciting to get back there," she said. "I've learned we've got some deadly outside back and when we shift the ball to them, they're unstoppable.
"There's a huge difference in the halves, you steer the ship a bit more, but that's my normal position, so it comes more natural to me than the hooker role.
"It's truly a dream come true that I finally get my turn."
Ironically, she will re-unite with former Storm teammate and rugby convert Patricia Maliepo in the Warriors halves.
"This is like a full-circle moment and when she rocked up, I was, like, 'Oh my gosh, do you remember me?' Turua-Quedley said.
"Back then, I wasn't a mum and I'm a much different person now, so she was buzzing out about how much we've both grown.
"We've had the whole pre-season and also that history together."
The Warriors women have had a daunting start to their return to the competition after a five-year hiatus, pitted against the two-time champion Knights and defending titleholders Sydney Roosters in their first three games, but her bench exploits have prepared Turua-Quedley for her starting opportunity.
"I'm excited and more comfortable, because I didn't start straight away and got to ease myself into it," she said. "Going against the Roosters - the winners from last year - in my first NRLW game, I was so nervous, but now I know they have two legs and two arms, just like us."
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