Tiana Raftstrand-Smith (born 17 June 2003) is a professional rugby league footballer who currently plays for the North Queensland Cowboys in the NRL Women's Premiership.
Personal information | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| Born | 17 July 2003 Auckland, New Zealand | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Height | 173 cm (5 ft 8 in) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Weight | 84 kg (13 st 3 lb) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Playing information | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Position | Second-row, Centre, Prop | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Source: [1] As of 15 September 2024 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
A second-row, centre, she previously played for the Gold Coast Titans.
Background
editRaftstrand-Smith was born in Auckland and is of Māori descent.[2] She played her junior rugby league for the Richmond Rovers before moving to the Gold Coast, Queensland as a 13-year old.[3][4] In Australia, she attended Keebra Park State High School and played rugby league for the Parkwood Sharks.[5]
Raftstrand-Smith's aunt, Portia Woodman, is a New Zealand rugby sevens and rugby union international.[6]
Playing career
editEarly years
editWhile at Keeba Park, Raftstrand-Smith was a member of the Australian rugby sevens Youth Development Program.[7]
In 2021 and 2022, she played for the Burleigh Bears in the QRL Women's Premiership, winning a Grand Final with the club in 2021.[8]
On 25 June 2021, the 18–year old Raftstrand-Smith started at second-row for Queensland in their State of Origin win over New South Wales. In August 2021, she signed with the Gold Coast Titans.[9]
2022
editIn February, Raftstrand-Smith represented the Māori All Stars against the Indigenous All Stars.[10]
In Round 1 of the delayed 2021 NRL Women's season, she made her NRLW debut for the Titans against the St George Illawarra Dragons.[11] On 24 June 2022, she came off the bench for Queensland in their 20–14 loss to New South Wales.[12]
2023
editRaftstrand-Smith began the 2023 season playing for the Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs in the NSWRL Women's Premiership.[13]
On 20 May, Raftrand-Smith signed with the North Queensland Cowboys NRLW team on a two-year contract, alongside her younger sister Ebony.[14]
In Round 1 of the 2023 NRL Women's season, she made her debut for the Cowboys, starting at prop in a 16–6 loss to the Gold Coast Titans.[15]
2024
editIn Round 1 of the 2024 NRL Women's season, Raftstrand-Smith started at second-row in the Cowboys' 14–0 loss to the Cronulla Sharks.[16] In Round 2, she scored two tries in a 38–34 win over the St George Illawarra Dragons.[17]
References
edit- ^ "Tiana Raftstrand-Smith - Career Stats & Summary - Rugby League Project". www.rugbyleagueproject.org.
- ^ "Rollercoaster ride for Raftstrand-Smith in her return to Māori team". NRL. 8 February 2023.
- ^ "Tāmaki Makaurau represented in All Star players, coaching and referees". Auckland Rugby League. 14 February 2023.
- ^ "Te reo in a league of its own for young star". Inkl. 31 July 2015.
- ^ "Rookie watch: Raftstrand-Smith ready to make titanic impact". NRL. 21 December 2021.
- ^ "Tiana Raftstrand-Smith hopes to follow in her Aunty Portia Woodman's footsteps". Te Ao Maori News. 30 March 2017.
- ^ "Keebra Park rising talent Tiana Raftstrand-Smith impressing in both league and rugby sevens". Gold Coast Bulletin. 30 July 2019.
- ^ "Burleigh claim epic grand final win against Diehards". QRL. 6 June 2021.
- ^ "First Look: Inaugural Titans NRLW squad revealed". Gold Coast Titans. 13 August 2021.
- ^ "Maori v Indigenous All Stars: Both sides 1-18 with no late changes". National Rugby League. 12 February 2022.
- ^ "History made, as first ever Titans NRLW team selected". Gold Coast Titans. 22 February 2022.
- ^ "QRL confirms Harvey Norman Queensland Maroons squad". QRL. 6 June 2022.
- ^ "Bulldogs Academy Team List: Semi Finals". Canterbury Bulldogs. 18 April 2023.
- ^ "Cowboys sign Raftstrand-Smith sisters". NQ Cowboys. 20 May 2023.
- ^ "Final team list: Eight Cowboys named to make NRLW debuts". NQ Cowboys. 22 July 2023.
- ^ "Tonegato leads the way as Sharks shutout Cowboys". NRL.com. 27 July 2024.
- ^ "Cowboys down Dragons in 13-try thriller in Townsville". NRL.com. 4 August 2024.