Sisters Trinity and Alexis Tauaneai have both been called into the Kiwi Ferns squad. Photo: Photosport
Kiwi Ferns vs Jillaroos
3.35pm Sunday 2 November
Eden Park Auckland
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Whether it was doing chores or playing sport, everything was a competition growing up in the Tauaneai home.
And it was that drive to out-do one another which has taken rugby league sisters Trinity and Alexis Tauaneai to the top of the game.
"It was a very competitive household, doing anything like the chores or getting the front seat, we'd always fight each other for it. We'd finish school, be in the backyard, and Dad would make us tackle each other, or challenge us, first to catch a high ball and we would all end up fighting at the end of it," the siblings joked.
The duo are set to join the illustrious ranks of sibling internationals, with 18-year-old Trinity called into the Kiwi Ferns side for the first time.
It has been a whirlwind rise for Trinity, who only made her NRLW debut four months ago while Alexis played her first test in 2024.
Trinity was elevated from the wider squad following the two-game stand down of Brianna Clarke for a grade two infringement in the match against Fetu Samoa.
"It's always been my dream, but I had it more in my five-year plan. To be there in my first NRLW season is crazy."
Trinity admits to being slightly star-struck in the Kiwi ferns camp.
"I'm the biggest fan girl off the field, even with the girls here. I still fan girl over them, it's crazy to be in the same space as they are."
The sisters are no strangers to playing with one another, having spent all their junior footy in the same sides in Wellington.
So it made for a unique experience, when earlier this year the Dragons met the Bulldogs, and the sisters were on opposing sides.
"We had never played against each other, it was a bit buzzy. I just kept on trying not to look at her and run it straight a few times," Alexis said.
Trinity was enjoying her off-season when the SOS call came from Kiwi Ferns coach Ricky Henry.
"I was actually on a holiday in Brisbane with my mates and I had got the call in the morning and yeah, I had to reschedule my flights back home early."
That was after getting the green light from big sis.
"Ricky gave me a call beforehand just to see how I would feel about her coming into camp, if there would be any distractions there, but I was like, 'nah, she's good. She can come in.'" Alexis quipped.
Trinity says seeing her sister run out in black inspired her to follow the same path.
"It's definitely made it more comfortable for me to blend in with the girls."
Alexis says her and her sister share a healthy rivalry, one which is based heavily in mutual support.
"She'll listen to me, I'll listen to her kind of thing. It's just back and forth."
The sisters say that wearing the fern was always a dream.
"We grew up on league, but then we had to switch to rugby. But we both thought league was more of the go, and then when NRLW started we were like, 'oh we finally get paid for what we can do.'"
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