NRLW 2023, Dragons NRLW, Tyla Nathan-Wong, Raecene McGregor, David Wong, Kiwi Ferns

Author: Corey Rosser NRL Reporter
Timestamp: Wed 5 Jul 2023, 10:01 AM

She has carved a career as one of New Zealand's most successful female rugby union sevens players, but growing up, Tyla Nathan-Wong's life was all about rugby league.

Led by the passion of her trailblazing grandfather David Wong – who was the first Chinese person to play for the Auckland representative team back in 1967 – Tyla's weekends as a child revolved around league as both a player and spectator.

Had there been a pathway at the time for girls, beyond the point where mixed gender teams ended at the age of 10, there is every chance she would have continued to pursue the 13-a-side game rather than switching codes.

Now after 12 years representing New Zealand in sevens and winning gold medals at both the Olympics and Commonwealth Games, Nathan-Wong will make her NRLW debut with the Dragons and fulfil a goal she's had in mind since the competition's inception in 2018.

"There were a couple of times in the past when I wanted to jump across [to league], but the timing just didn’t work out," she said.

It was definitely a long-time thought. Coming from a league family it has always been there as a sport I have loved watching, and ever since the NRLW started I have watched all of the games.
Tyla Nathan-Wong

"I have always thought 'how cool would it be to cross over and give it a go?'.

"League has been a part of my life for so long, so why not come over and give it a shot in my adult years.

"I have been 12 years at the top level in sevens and I felt like I needed something new to take me back to being a learner, which I definitely am here."

A halfback in union, the 28-year-old will team up in the halves for the Dragons too, alongside fellow Kiwi and reigning NRLW Dally M Medal winner Raecene McGregor.

"Pairing with her and all the knowledge she has... that is pretty cool for me," Nathan-Wong said.

"I have just got to keep learning the different lines and the way halves play.

2022 Dally M NRLW Player of the Year - Raecene McGregor

"Sowie [coach Jamie Soward] was a gun half in his time too, so I have a lot of awesome people surrounding me and they will be able to fast track me in my learning."

While Nathan-Wong has signed on for only 2023, with the view to returning to sevens after that, Kiwi Ferns coach Ricky Henry will be watching her development with interest too, ahead of planned Test matches later this year.

For her part, Nathan-Wong said she would jump at any representative opportunities during her stint in league.

"100 percent. Who wouldn’t want to represent their county? If that opportunity came and I was the best in my position and felt like I had earned the right to be there, then absolutely."

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