Australian rugby league player
Rachael Pearson (born 30 August 1993) is an Australian professional rugby league footballer who plays as a halfback for the Parramatta Eels Women in the NRL Women's Premiership .[ 1]
Background
Prior to joining the Helensburgh Tigers for the 2021 NSW Women's Premiership season, Pearson had played soccer , Australian rules football and League tag in and around her hometown of Hay, New South Wales .[ 2] After several matches with Helensburgh, Pearson was selected for NSW Country Origin in May 2021.[ 3] Pearson scored a try in a Country's 16–40 loss to City.[ 4] Pearson was subsequently signed by the St George Illawarra Dragons , making an impressive NRLW debut at halfback on 27 February 2022 in the Dragons' opening match of the postponed 2021 season .[ 5] [ 6]
Pearson is the cousin of fellow NRLW player Emily Bass , and the two were on opposing sides for an NRLW match on 13 March 2022.[ 2] [ 7]
Playing career
Pearson was selected by her peers in the Rugby League Players Association Dream Team for the 2021 NRLW season, prior to playing in the Grand Final.[ 8] [ 9]
Following the Grand Final loss, Pearson was selected in an extended New South Wales squad and on 24 June 2022, made her Women's State of Origin debut.[ 10] [ 11] In a match in which both teams scored three tries each, Pearson's four goals (two conversions, two penalties) from five attempts helped New South Wales win, 20–14.[ 12] [ 13] [ 14]
References
^ "Rachael Pearson" . Parramatta Eels . 8 May 2024.
^ a b Walter, Brad (12 March 2022). "More than bragging rights on line in clash of cousins" . NRL . Retrieved 14 March 2022 .
^ "Team List Tuesday - Country v City" . NSWRL . 11 May 2021. Retrieved 14 May 2021 .
^ McEnally, Andrew (15 May 2021). "City Women too slick for Country" . NSWRL . Retrieved 16 May 2021 .
^ Crosby, Robert (27 February 2022). "Dragons deliver in NRLW opener" . League Unlimited . Retrieved 28 February 2022 .
^ Kennedy, Chris (27 February 2022). "Dragons start campaign with impressive win over Titans" . NRL . Retrieved 28 February 2022 .
^ Robertson, Josh (13 March 2022). "Broncos stay top of the ladder after tough fight against Dragons" . League Unlimited . Retrieved 13 March 2022 .
^ "NRLW players pick Dream Team" . RLPA . 7 April 2022. Retrieved 7 April 2022 .
^ "Dragons 4 v 16 Roosters" . NRL . 10 April 2022. Retrieved 13 April 2022 .
^ Newton, Alicia (19 April 2022). "Tonegato, Pearson named in extended NSW squad" . NRL . Retrieved 19 April 2022 .
^ Hogan, Kelsey (21 June 2022). "Dragons spine to shine for Sky Blues" . NRL . Retrieved 21 June 2022 .
^ Robertson, Josh (24 June 2022). "Kelly shines as Blues regain Origin dominance" . League Unlimited . Retrieved 26 June 2022 .
^ Maurice, Megan (24 June 2022). "NSW dig deep to overcome Queensland in Women's State of Origin" . The Guardian . Retrieved 26 June 2022 .
^ Hogan, Kelsey (24 June 2022). "Kelly stars as Sky Blues clinch Origin thriller" . NRL . Retrieved 26 June 2022 .