Trinity Tauaneai and Jessica Patea have signed NRLW development deals for the 2024 season, the Dragons are happy to announce.
Growing up in Lower Hutt, Wellington, the two were teammates for the Wainuiomata Lions during their younger years.
The Dragons lock Alexis’ younger sister, Tauaneai, will see her contract increased to a full-time agreement in 2025.
Tauaneai, a versatile forward who can play both on the edge and in the middle, is now in the midst of her debut Lisa Fiaola Cup campaign with the Bulldogs.
The 17-year-old is thrilled to be going to the Red V with her childhood pal and older sister.
Tauaneai remarked, “It’s pretty exciting, especially to be doing it with Jess and Lex.”
“I’m eager to play with them once more. Our chemistry and combination complement each other nicely… Our family is thrilled that Lex and I are now members of the same club, and they are excited that we are traveling this trip with the Dragons.
In April of last year, the Tauaneai family relocated to Sydney in order to fulfill their girls’ rugby league aspirations.
Tauaneai is thrilled to work with Jamie Soward, the head coach of the NRLW, who gave her sister a debut jersey about a year ago.
“Hearing all the horror stories that Alexis told about preseason last year have me mentally preparing myself,” she laughed.
“He has a good connection with my family now and him working with Lex has made me keen… I just want to keep building on my own skills that I have now and keep learning.”
Patea, on the other hand, joins the Dragons after establishing herself with the Bulldogs Tarsha Gale Cup team and over the border.
Patea, a skillful and adaptable player who can cover several backline positions, says it feels unreal to be joining Trinity and Alexis on the Dragons.
“I’m incredibly happy and honored to be able to sign with the Dragons and collaborate with the coaching staff and some of my friends from back home,” Patea remarked. “It feels really like not real.”
It’s so amazing to have my girls from back home, who I’ve been playing with since we were about ten years old. How enthusiastically they have been discussing the coaching and everything that has been taking place. It’s quite thrilling. I simply cannot express how stunned I am by that.
The 18-year-old, who claims that watching her father and uncle play rugby league as a child inspired her to pursue the sport, came to Sydney earlier this year.
It’s been fantastic so far, but I’m still getting used to it,” she remarked.
It was because of my dad that I began playing league. He and my uncle used to play for the Wainuiomata Lions.
Soward is excited for the teenagers to start working with the team in order to get them ready for the next season.
“Having Trinity and Jess involved with the Dragons excites me much,” Soward remarked.
Trinity is a gifted player who can play on the rim and in the middle thanks to his tenacity and intelligence. She is a kind individual who blends in with the Dragons’ culture that we are creating.
“Jess is a phenomenal talent who has gained recognition following her victory as the New Zealand under-18 Player of the Year. She has a special talent and the drive to be the best. She can play anywhere in the outside backs.
