Women's Super League champions Leeds Rhinos Women have landed a major coup, signing New Zealand international Georgia Hale for the 2023 season.
The 27-year-old is the partner of Rhinos' men's prop Sam Lisone who joined the club in the off-season from Gold Coast Titans. Hale is regarded as one of the best players in the world, and her signature has already boosted the profile of the Super League in the UK.
A loose forward with vast international experience, she made her Kiwi Ferns debut in 2015 and two years later picked up the New Zealand Player of the Year Award. Most recently, she was involved for the Ferns in last year's Rugby league World Cup, including the semi-final win against England and the defeat to Australia in the Final at Old Trafford.
Domestically, she began her NRLW career with New Zealand Warriors in 2018 in their inaugural season in the competition, becoming captain before joining the Gold Coast Titans as their marquee signing in 2021. Hale has been recognised away from the sport as well, in 2019 she was named the Young New Zealander of the Year and won the Veronica White Medal in 2020 for her contribution to the local community.
The Rhinos now have a couple representing the club's two leading outfits, with Hale adding to an already talented side coached by Lois Forsell. Coming into the reigning Super League champions' set-up, the New Zealander is aiming to bring more success to Headingley after tasting the UK experience during her international duties.
"It's so nice to be here and to join the club," said Hale "I arrived last week and have met the staff and the girls and there is a really good buzz around the place. I was over here for the World Cup last year so that was a nice opportunity to meet people and see what the Rhinos are about. My partner, Sam Lisone, is obviously over here too so it was a good opportunity for us both to represent the Rhinos and move overseas and still chase our footy dream. It's fantastic that the game allows us to do that.
"I have heritage over here in England. My Nanna is from here, so it's nice to be connecting with her roots and playing for such a prestigious club alongside such a great group of girls. The success within the club is great to see and especially within the women's space, and I am excited to be part of that and to keep building with what they have created and just to add to some of my learnings along the way."
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