It looks like you may be using adblocking software to view this site.
Many features on the site, such as video playback, may not work properly when using adblocking software.
Please whitelist our domain or disable your adblocker to access all features and videos.
Paige turner: Eels recruit out to make an impression for England
- Author
- Timestamp
England second-rower Paige Travis is looking forward to testing herself at Allegiant Stadium against the Australian players who will be her rivals in the NRLW when she joins the Eels.
Travis will be one of three NRLW players in the England team playing the Jillaroos for the first time since the 2017 World Cup, along with Newcastle playmaker Georgia Roche and Canberra second-rower Hollie-Mae Dodd.
The 25-year-old had ambitions to play in the NRLW and signed with the Eels after a Zoom meeting with coach Steve Georgallis.
“I am really excited to be joining the Eels. I met Steve at Christmas and he was a really nice guy and I feel like we made that really good bond already.
“I can’t wait to get over there and obviously meet the team, but this is first and I am excited for what is to come after that.
“I think it will be a good test for myself and obviously for the team. I am really excited to play against them, I am going to get over there and play against them all the time as well.”
The strike forward has a background in gymnastics before taking up league in 2019, proving herself in the code by helping St Helens to four consecutive Challenge Cup wins and the Women’s Super League premiership in 2021.
She played at Wembley in 2023 and said that even the atmosphere there could not match Vegas on Saturday night, when the match is being held.
“This is amazing, it is like nothing we have ever experienced before – even being at Wembley isn’t anything like this. It is unbelievably crazy and we are a proud sport,” she said.
Travis said she had wanted to play in the NRLW since Roche, Dodd and North Queensland’s Francesca Goldthorp had made the move at the conclusion of the last World Cup in 2022.
Rather than be concerned about the influx of English players to the NRLW, Travis said it showed how the team is improving.
“It is something that I have always wanted to do and as soon as a few of the other girls went it was something I wanted to follow with.
“I just think that it is one of the best games out there so that’s where I want to go and really prove myself and work on my game.
“I think it is good, I think it shows that our pool our players are getting to that level. I think more should do it and I think there will be plenty more in the future.”
Georgallis said he would be watching the Test from Vegas, where has been overseeing the Greek men's team, who beat the USA 46-10 on Friday.
"I am looking forward to seeing what she can do and how she can add to the Parramatta team this year in the NRLW," Georgallis said.
“One of the managers rang up and said I have got a girl who is really keen to come out and play in the NRLW. We talked to her over the laptop and had a bit of a chat about footy and things like that.
“She was an ex-gymnast, so she has always been training all of her life in sport. She tried her hand at rugby league and she has been playing for three or four years.
"She just impressed me with her professionalism and then we watched a little bit of her play and thought she deserves that opportunity to come out to the NRLW.
“She is super keen, and she is one of those 24-or-25-year-old players that we don’t have. They are either young or they are at the end of their career, so I am looking forward to seeing how she goes."
Match: Jillaroos v England
Round 1 -
home Team
Jillaroos
away Team
England
Venue: Allegiant Stadium, Las Vegas
