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]

Rachael Pearson
Personal information
Full nameRachael Pearson
Born (1993-08-30) 30 August 1993 (age 31)
Wagga Wagga, New South Wales, Australia
Height187 cm (6 ft 2 in)
Weight68 kg (10 st 10 lb)
Playing information
PositionHalfback, Five-eighth
Club
Years Team Pld T G FG P
2022–2022 Helensburgh Tigers
2021–2022 St George Illawarra Dragons 12 1 20 1 45
2023– Parramatta Eels Women 9 0 19 0 38
Total 21 1 39 1 83
Representative
Years Team Pld T G FG P
NSW Country Origin
2022 New South Wales 4 0 10 0 20

Background

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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

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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

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  1. ^ "Rachael Pearson". Parramatta Eels. 8 May 2024.
  2. ^ a b Walter, Brad (12 March 2022). "More than bragging rights on line in clash of cousins". NRL. Retrieved 14 March 2022.
  3. ^ "Team List Tuesday - Country v City". NSWRL. 11 May 2021. Retrieved 14 May 2021.
  4. ^ McEnally, Andrew (15 May 2021). "City Women too slick for Country". NSWRL. Retrieved 16 May 2021.
  5. ^ Crosby, Robert (27 February 2022). "Dragons deliver in NRLW opener". League Unlimited. Retrieved 28 February 2022.
  6. ^ Kennedy, Chris (27 February 2022). "Dragons start campaign with impressive win over Titans". NRL. Retrieved 28 February 2022.
  7. ^ Robertson, Josh (13 March 2022). "Broncos stay top of the ladder after tough fight against Dragons". League Unlimited. Retrieved 13 March 2022.
  8. ^ "NRLW players pick Dream Team". RLPA. 7 April 2022. Retrieved 7 April 2022.
  9. ^ "Dragons 4 v 16 Roosters". NRL. 10 April 2022. Retrieved 13 April 2022.
  10. ^ Newton, Alicia (19 April 2022). "Tonegato, Pearson named in extended NSW squad". NRL. Retrieved 19 April 2022.
  11. ^ Hogan, Kelsey (21 June 2022). "Dragons spine to shine for Sky Blues". NRL. Retrieved 21 June 2022.
  12. ^ Robertson, Josh (24 June 2022). "Kelly shines as Blues regain Origin dominance". League Unlimited. Retrieved 26 June 2022.
  13. ^ Maurice, Megan (24 June 2022). "NSW dig deep to overcome Queensland in Women's State of Origin". The Guardian. Retrieved 26 June 2022.
  14. ^ Hogan, Kelsey (24 June 2022). "Kelly stars as Sky Blues clinch Origin thriller". NRL. Retrieved 26 June 2022.