With speed to burn, Rebecca Pollard says her strengths lie in the legs.
The 24-year-old outside back made her NRLW debut with Wests Tigers in the narrow loss to the Cowboys in Round 4 and scored her first NRLW try last weekend against the Titans.
A state champion in hurdles and national OzTag player, Pollard put her athletics background to good use when the women’s Group 6 League Tag competition arrived for Oaks Tigers.
The ‘social butterfly’ couldn’t resist the opportunity to put her skills to the test. And so started her journey to rugby league.
Pollard moved to Narellan Jets to compete in both tackle and tag competitions, where a tackle competition grand final victory in 2020 earnt the Macarthur junior an invitation to trial for Wests Tigers Harvey Norman side.
“There must have been scouts at the grand final because I got an invitation for a trial,” said Pollard.
There were heaps of players and I thought there was no way I was going to make it.
Rebecca Pollard
“I made the cut and was meant to be a development player, but the team had a few injuries, so I ended up starting most games.”
Pollard missed last year’s Harvey Norman grand final through concussion but was delighted by the result having contributed immensely to the team during the season.
Scoring five tries in her debut season for the club’s HNW side was a highlight but even more thrilling she says was signing an NRLW contract for the club she’s always wanted to play for.
“I wasn’t expecting it, but I thought if I’m going to get a NRLW contract, it should be here,” said Pollard.
“It’s pretty special to be able to stay at the one club.”
Pollard is making an impact on the game not just as a professional player, but as a coach too.
“I coached a few girls in the Camden Oz-Tag state cup team in the Under-14s and most of those girls are going through the Lisa Fialoa and Tarsha Gale teams,” said Pollard.
“It’s awesome that if these girls want to pursue a career in rugby league they can now have a real crack at it.”
She believes there’s a special energy in the inaugural NRLW squad, which has developed over time.
“There was a huge spark last year on and off the field knowing each girl has each other’s back and was working so hard,” she said.
“We had quite a few new girls join us this year and we’ve gelled really well together.
“Hopefully we can continue to build on this strong bond in years to come.”
