History awaits Tamarua in NRLW decider

Since the beginning of the NRL era 25 years ago there has never been a grand final without a New Zealand player on the field, but it's been a different story when it comes to Kiwi representation among the match officials controlling those games.

To date in the modern game no New Zealander has been involved as an on-field official on the biggest day of the year, a fact which will change on Sunday when Rochelle Tamarua runs out as a touch judge in the NRLW decider between the Knights and Titans. 

It comes after she last year became the first New Zealand woman – and person of Cook Island and Māori heritage – to control an NRLW match.

"It's a huge occasion and quite surreal to be part of, and importantly it shows the pathways [for New Zealanders] are well and truly present," Tamarua told NRL.com.

"I’m working hard to create more opportunities not only for myself but for the next group of Kiwis coming through."

It continues what has been a big year for the 29-year-old, who after years of travelling across the Tasman for games made the decision to relocate to Brisbane from Auckland, following her participation in last year's World Cup. 

In addition to being a regular in the NRL Telstra Women's Premiership for the second season in a row, Tamarua started the year with an appointment for the Harvey Norman Women's All Stars in February and in July was the referee of the Women's State of Origin U-19s.

While nothing will change in her preparation for Sunday's match, she is looking forward to having her New Zealand-based parents Peter and Ngavaine in the crowd. 

Jared Maxwell, the NRL's general manager of elite officiating, added that the appointment was an important milestone in the game's efforts to promote more diversity in the match official ranks.