Former Black Fern Pia Tapsell is no stranger to success but notching a win on NRLW debut over the weekend proved to be a special moment in the 26-year-old’s accomplished career.
A proud Ngāti Whakauae and Te Arawa Māori woman, Tapsell grew up Devonport – a harbourside suburb of Auckland – and made her Black Ferns debut in 2019 – where she was in the running for a Rookie of the Year nod – having gone on to make six appearances for her nation.
She spent the 2024 NRLW campaign with rivals Cronulla but fell short of a debut instead playing out the season in the Harvey Norman NSW Women’s Premiership.
An offseason move to the Dragons has proven just what the doctor ordered for Tapsell who started in the front row on Saturday as the side claimed a 36-14 win in their season opener in the nation’s capital.
“Probably one of the main things I remember was waiting for kick-off and the fire things on the side of the field were going off and, because Canberra was so cold, it was just going hot, cold, hot, cold, and I couldn’t tell if it was like my nerves or just my skin reacting, but it was good,” Tapsell laughed.
“It was a pretty cool feeling. I feel like the build-up was pretty big for us; we know we’re in for a big year. We’ve got big goals, and the girls are really excited and there’s a good vibe in the team. Going out there, there was a special kind of feeling in the air.”
“It was a pretty cool feeling. I feel like the build-up was pretty big for us; we know we’re in for a big year. We’ve got big goals, and the girls are really excited and there’s a good vibe in the team. Going out there, there was a special kind of feeling in the air.”
Debuts are always special but being able to cap it off with a win was a focus for Tapsell and one she was proud to deliver on.
“The physicality was high, but we just went out there and did it. I think I ran hard and did my job and that’s all I can hope for,” she said.
“I think it was a great reward for our hard work building into preseason. There’re quite a few new girls that have come into some key roles, but we’re all clicking pretty well. I think on the weekend it was just really rewarding to get out there and have everything click and to get that feeling that we’re going to build as the season goes… You could tell the girls were just ecstatic, so it was a great feeling and a great way to start the year.”
One of those new players was star lock Hannah Southwell who has also taken on the role as Tapsell’s roommate since the latter made the move back over from Perth.
A resounding Round 1 Team Song!
“Living in Woonona right by the beach, it’s very nice. We go for walks and go for swims at the rock pools. It’s very slow and quiet, but it’s nice,” Tapsell said.
“I’m very lucky to be with Hannah. We’re very similar people. I think we have similar backgrounds and obviously hers is more with league and mine’s more with union, but I feel as though we’ve shared similar experiences. It’s nice to go home and be able to ask someone questions and gain a bit more knowledge and understanding around certain things. She keeps me honest, and I like to think I keep her honest; it’s a good dynamic.”
Tapsell is now eager to build off the side’s strong start as she continues to understand her role as a Dragon.
“I’m still new to the game, but my goals for the year are just to be really reliable and to build over the season,” she said.
“Mostly, I just want to be a really strong and dominant middle and be reliable for the team and do what I need to do for them, so everyone else can do their job… Last year, I got kind of the basics of the game and learned at maybe a lower speed and a lower level, but it helped give me a bit more confidence. Now coming to the Dragons, it’s easier to apply things and I already have a base knowledge of stuff rather than last year I was pretty fresh.”
