Sister act: McGregor siblings ready to put it all on the line

Raecene McGregor doesn’t mince her words when asked who her mother Glenys will be screaming loudly for in the stands when she takes on younger sister Page on Saturday.

"I thought she would go for us both individually but I think she’s going for the Dragons, unfortunately," Raecene says.

"Her thing is Page is the baby so she’s the favourite but I don't really care, I just say back to mum that I’ll be out there smashing Page and be looking over at her when I do so.

"I love getting Page angry. She’s a very funny and calm person but as soon as you get at her you can see how fiery she gets."

Raecene and Page McGregor will become the third set of sisters to play against each other in NRLW history this weekend when the Dragons host the Roosters at Netstrata Jubilee Stadium.

For the pair, who live together and share the same passion for sport and landscaping work, it will be their first game of rugby league where they’ll be on opposing sides.

"Rae really knows how to push my buttons but it won't be this week," Page said.

"I'm going to get into her head because that's what she's really good at usually with the opposition. There will be a lot of competitiveness between us.

"We are in a slightly better position than them on the ladder but it doesn’t mean anything. I know she’s going to want to run hard at me and I know I want to smash her back."

Raecene’s last-minute call-up to the Roosters squad in February set up the fiery sibling encounter with the halfback and Dragons centre to go head-to-head on the same side of the field.

After making a successful return from a shoulder reconstruction last month, Raecene has managed to force her way into John Strange’s starting side in recent weeks alongside Maori Ferns playmaker Zahara Temara.

For Page, who is only in her second season back in rugby league after a three-year stint in rugby sevens, she’s been among the most consistent players in the NRLW after four rounds.

"I had hoped the Dragons were going to pick her up so we could play together but they also weren’t sure that she was ready with her shoulder," Page said.

"I’m just glad she did get picked up in the end because look at her now, she wasn’t going to be a starting player but now she is their seven.

"And even though she would’ve found some happiness watching me, it’s good we’re both having the chance now because being part of the NRLW is such a good experience."

Page lost her rugby sevens contract in 2020 after being told she wasn’t going to be considered for the Olympics.

It’s enabled her to turn her attention back to rugby league, where she hopes to join Raecene in a Kiwi Ferns jersey for the World Cup at the end of the year.

"I’m hoping to get a look in," she said.

"I’d rather play with Rae than against her and after watching her play in a World Cup previously [in 2017] it’s something I want to do."

The Roosters are far more desperate to cause an upset against the Dragons on Saturday and keep their finals hopes alive.

A loss will mean they're relying for other results to go their way 24 hours later.

"It’s a massive game for us to look at the finals so we’re working hard and have been watching what the Dragons have been doing," Raecene said.

"I’m proud of how Page has been playing, she’s been killing it, but hopefully we stop that on Saturday. Her whole team has been playing some great footy."