Courtney Tamati in action during this year's Queensland Rugby League under-15 girls development camp. Photo/Supplied
IT'S probably just as well Courtney Tamati is a distant relative of Hawke's Bay's Kiwis rugby league legend Kevin Tamati on her great grandmother's side.
Had the Brisbane-based former Flaxmere Primary School pupil been a close relative of the former prop - remembered for his sideline scuffle with Kangaroos counterpart Greg Dowling in 1985 - she might have received a quiet word or two about her quest to play for the world champion Jillaroos. Even when reminded about Aussie-based Kiwis being eligible for the Kiwis Ferns who were pipped 23-16 by the Jillaroos in the World Cup final in Brisbane this month, 15-year-old Tamati's mind couldn't be changed.
"Making the Jillaroos team is my main focus. I've watched them every year since I've been over here and I went to the World Cup final. It's part of the pathway I'm involved with," Tamati explained.
A hooker with the Waterford club in Brisbane, Tamati, was a member of Queensland Rugby League's under-15 development squad this year. Last week she was selected in the Queensland under-18 squad for their development camp at the Gold Coast's Runaway Bay Sports Super Centre from January 4-7.
According to another Hawke's Bay export to Queensland, Riki Sullivan, Tamati is ranked by the state's top coaches as the best player in her age group.
"Courtney ticks every box. She's got wheels and all the skills. She steps off either foot with the same amount of ease. I have no doubt she will be in an NRL team by the time she is 18 and she will be playing for the Jillaroos shortly afterwards," Sullivan said in a visit home this week.
It was Sullivan who was first coached her when she arrived in Queensland. When he saw she was too good for the boys of her age who she was playing against, Sullivan suggested to a coach of older female players that he take her under his wing.
Taking her sporting genes into account as well as her sporting pursuits before crossing the Tasman, it isn't a surprise Tamati is receiving plenty of kudos in Queensland. Her father Corey Tamati is a former MAC and Hastings High School Old Boys premier rugby player, MAC and Omanu Huia league player and former Hawke's Bay softball rep.
Her mother Vanessa is an aunt of former world champion touch player and former Magpies rugby player Nui Bartlett. Among Tamati's uncles is former Magpie Darryl Tamati.
Before shifting to Queensland three years ago Tamati played representative touch for the Hawke's Bay under-11s and club touch for Outkast Sports and Galaxy.
Despite not playing club soccer she was selected for the Hawke's Bay under-12 team after being spotted during a coaching visit to Flaxmere Primary. Although she didn't play league while in Hawke's Bay Tamati played rugby union for MAC and was coached by Ihaka and Jackson Waerea.
"When I heard earlier this month there would be women's NRL teams from next year I thought to myself I could be a professional rugby league player when I leave school. If I don't make it I will still do something sports related like being a physio," Tamati said.
One of five siblings, Tamati will be a year 11 pupil next term. Her father was full of praise for the work Tamati's Aussie coach Shane Joseph and his wife Cara have put into her.
"They just love kids," Tamati snr said.
Tamati is a huge fan of Jillaroos standoff Ali Brigginshaw who was the outstanding player in the World Cup final. She made 27 tackles, clocked up 83m during her 11 runs and set up two crucial tries.
"Ali just does everything so well and is so composed," Tamati said.
When quizzed if it was tough having the Tamati surname across the Ditch the teen replied:
"It's not that bad. Occasionally I get asked by a few of the older supporters if I'm related to Kevin."
She pointed out depending on how well her twin Tayla recovers from her spine operation she may play alongside her sister again in the near future. Tamati's father reckoned Tayla was close behind Tamati in the skills department.
So the question had to be put to the old man. What are the chances of the twins both appearing for the Jillaroos?
"It's a possibility as long as they pay the rent," he replied.
Tamati said she hasn't come across any relations of Dowling in her travels yet. But she agreed the day could come when she ends up playing in a team with a player with the same surname as Greg Dowling and it could be when they are wearing the yellow jersey of the Jillaroos.
It would be interesting to see the reaction of their famous distant relation then.
The under-15 Queensland development camp Tamati attended earlier this year was an inaugural one for this age group. Next month's expansion of the programme to under-18 level is a reflection of the growing popularity of the female version of the code in Queensland.
The fact Tamati has been selected in the under-18 squad at the age of 15 is another indication of how well regarded she is in league's strongest state in Australia.
During his playing days her father was never short of a word on the rugby field or softball diamond. It's fair to say those chats have been replaced with conversations about his daughter these days and rightfully so.