League: Hale new Kiwi Ferns league star in making

Georgia Hale. Photo / Nick Reed

Auckland's Georgia Hale is set to make her New Zealand debut in a third sport when she takes to Eden Park with the Kiwi Ferns at this weekend's Auckland Nines.

The 19-year-old represented New Zealand in touch and tag, and played netball and rugby at national level before embracing the 13-a-side code last year.

She quickly gained the attention of the Kiwi Ferns selectors and, after training with an extended preliminary squad, found her dedication and hard work rewarded when she was chosen as the 18th squad member for last year's one-off victory over Australia in Wollongong during the men's Four Nations tournament.

"It was only my first year playing league so it was an amazing experience to go away, so I'm just glad to be here again," the Richmond hooker explained. "It's been really cool representing New Zealand both in touch and tag but this is the next step up which is really cool.

"The nines is great exposure for the women's game and everyone's really excited to just be amongst it and to really be on the centre stage."

Hale and Manawatu's Janna Vaughan are the newcomers in coach Rusty Matua's squad, who will face off against the Jillaroos in three nines games over the two-day tournament.

"She had a wonderful attitude and a good skill-base and we identified her as one of the stars of the future," Matua said. "She has fast-tracked her learning and her effort is just outstanding, so she's progressed to the next level quite quickly.

"When she missed the initial squad last year, I asked the girls who missed out to stay in the training squad. I was really proud of her when she continued to do that. And we were training in Manurewa and she was coming from Milford - I just loved that commitment.

"We had a couple of late injuries and, because she had been with the squad right through, she claimed a spot."

As the baby of the squad, Hale has been embraced by her teammates and says beating the old foe once more would mean so much for everyone involved.

"Yep, I'm the baby, by far. But I'm happy and the girls treat me like a sister so it's good. Putting the jersey on means everything but to win would just be amazing."