Earlier this month, the Manurewa Marlins took the time to come together at the club the celebrate the past ten years of wāhine rugby league at the club, which was capped off by their historic 2022 season winning both the Farrelly Photos Women's Premiership and Championship competition.

The night kicked off with a year-by-year history of Women’s rugby league from the year 2012 through until 2022 (outlined below). Throughout the night, a common theme for success emerged, and that was having simple values, something that coach Rusty Matua, and the players reiterated.

The club celebrated those players who had an impact on the club over the years by inducting them into their Hall of Fame. Overall, there were eight players inducted, with Krystal Rota, Kelly Maipi, Amber Kani and Sarina Clark attending on the night. Rounding out the inductees were Geneva Webber, Kimiora Breayley-Nati, Lousia Gago, and Nora Maaka.

The club also took the time to acknowledge those who played a part in the Rugby League World Cup. Manurewa had a strong presence throughout the Kiwi Ferns and Cook Islands sides at the Women’s World Cup, with plenty of strong performances across the tournament.

Krystal Rota captained the Kiwi Ferns and former Manurewa player Kimiora Breayley-Nati co-captained the Cook Island team. Other current players that took part were Christyl Stowers & Kat Wira-Kohu (injured) with Kiwi Ferns and the trio of young Marlins Kerehitina Matua, Tere Matua & Mackenzie Wiki representing the Cook Islands. The Cook Islands side were coached by Rusty Matua.

The night wrapped up with a surprise acknowledgement of Sarina Clark’s outstanding career in rugby league. Sarina reflected on her career and the impact that rugby league has had on her. “Get involved with rugby league and it will take you places. It’s not just a game, it’s more than that. It’s family, it’s fun, it’s inspiration, and being able to lead for the next generation.”

Sarina has been with the club since 2012, after spending earlier years with the Papakura Sea Eagles. “I loved playing for Papakura. I loved who they were, and I loved what they were all about. But I lived in Manurewa, I went to school in Manurewa, I grew up in Manurewa. I knew this was where I belonged and needed to be going forward.”

Sarina has achieved a lot throughout her career as an Auckland, Māori, and New Zealand representative. Kiwi Fern #78, Sarina took part in the 2008 and 2013 Rugby League World Cups, which the Kiwi Ferns won in a dominant fashion in 2008 and Clark was vice-captain for 2013. Sarina claimed NZ Women’s Player of the Year honours 2010, 2013 and 2016.

Sarina was a Counties Stingrays representative from 2010-17, picking up the National Tournament MVP in 2010 and 2016, and National Tournament Back of the tournament in 2015. In more recent years, Sarina won overall Club Player of the Year for Manurewa (2016) and made the inaugural NZ Warriors NRLW squad (2018) and Māori All Stars team (2020).

10 YEARS OF MANUREWA WĀHINE RUGBY LEAGUE

2012-13 – Establishing the foundation

The current team was established in 2012, when Rusty and Karla Matua came over from Papakura and brought with them four players, including Sarina Clark (nee Fiso) who was the only Kiwi Fern on the team. In the first two seasons, the Marlins showed promise coming third in both years, and increasing to four Kiwi Fern representatives.

2014 – Building momentum

The tide began to turn in 2014, as Manurewa began to be seen as a threat in the Women’s Premiership. That season, they took out the minor Premiership, made the Grand Final after beating Richmond, and became heartbreakingly close to their first title. The Grand Final was played against rivals, Papakura, and was decided in double-overtime by a penalty kick. That season saw Rusty named as the Kiwi Ferns coach, along with six players for the Manurewa squad, as well as strong representation in that year’s Auckland Invitational side.

2015 – Maiden championship

In 2015, the Manurewa Marlins and women’s rugby league took strides, starting with the Kiwi Ferns playing Australia in the NRL Auckland Nines, where they got the series win. Krystal Rota re-joined her first club, and the side came up once again against Papakura in the Grand Final, where they were triumphant 46-24. The Manurewa Marlins had established themselves as a champion and will be a force throughout the competition for years to come.

2016-18 – Successful three years

2016 brought new challenges, once again facing their South Auckland rivals in the final but lost Sarina Clark to injury in the semi-final and ultimately falling at the final hurdle. The heartbreak set up for a strong two years to follow, going back-to-back in 2017-18 Farrelly Photos Premiership beating Richmond both times and going undefeated throughout 2018.

2019-2021 – Rebuild and development

Following success at the top level, 2019 brought a rebuild year as a few key players left the club for a season, resulting in the team finishing third. Rusty was announced as the coach of the first Māori All Stars, which they won, and Krystal Rota took home the MVP Award. In 2020, competition was interrupted and cancelled due to the arrival of the coronavirus. In 2021, the Women’s Farrelly Photos Premiership competition was the only Auckland Rugby League competition to reach completion, although Manurewa lost a few key players to the NRLW. A strong new rival in Pt Chevalier won their maiden title with a 22-16 Grand Final win. 2021 was the first season that the club ran the two Premier teams of Whero and Kowhai.

2022 – Historic double

Manurewa Wāhine had a slow start to the season, struggling to field the two teams in the top grades with many players taking part in the NRLW and their young players falling in the tough NZRL Women’s tournament final to Akarana during the pre-season. As the season went on, both Manurewa sides built momentum as the season went on to reach Grand Final day on Mt Smart #2.

The Manurewa Whero found themselves coming up against Manukau after taking down a strong Marist Saints outfit in the Farrelly Photos Championship semi-finals. The Whero got off to a hot start, building a three try lead, before the Magpies woke up and made a game of it. Stand out performer Peaches Peters, who already had a double, got herself two more to push the game out of reach and secure the first trophy of the day for the Manurewa Wāhine.

An instant classic followed, as close rivals Manurewa and Pt Chevalier faced off in a rematch of the previous year’s Final. The two teams were inseparable in the first half heading to the break with nil-all score line. Pt Chevalier eventually crossed first, but from there it was all one-way traffic as Christyl Stowers, Kat Wira-Kohu and Kerehitina Matua crossing for three consecutive tries.

That put the game out of reach as Manurewa Wāhine made history taking out the Farrelly Photos Women’s Championship and Premiership grades. Kerehitina Matua received the Juanita Hall Finals MVP awards for her Grand Final performance.

Farrelly Photos is the official sponsor of the Farrelly Photos Women's Competitions. Visit www.sportek.co.nz for more information on their services.

Article added: Tuesday 20 December 2022