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Black Ferns Sevens star Tyla King set for return to NRLW with Dragons
By Finn Morton
Black Ferns Sevens playmaker Tyla King will return to the NRLW later in 2024 after signing a two-year contract extension with the St. George Illawarra Dragons.
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King, who is the reigning World Rugby Sevens Player of the Year, played all nine matches for the Dragons last season and was rewarded with an international debut for the Kiwi Ferns.
The Olympic gold medallist helped New Zealand snap a seven year losing streak against Australia before jumping on a plane to attend the World Rugby Awards in France.
After returning to the SVNS Series at January’s event in Perth, King has helped the Black Ferns Sevens claim Cup final glory in Vancouver, Los Angeles and Hong Kong China.
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While King is no doubt focused on the SVNS Series and the upcoming Olympic Games in Paris, the New Zealander is looking forward to returning to the Red V for the next couple of years.
“I’m so excited to be back with the Dragons,” King said in a statement.
“I absolutely loved my time last season with the team and knew it wouldn’t be a one-and-done type thing. I’ve still got so much to learn in the new sport and I’m super excited to continue that growth with the team and Sowie.”
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The Dragons finished seventh in the 2023 season. With just three wins to their name, the improving Wollongong-based side has plenty of ground to make up on champions Newcastle.
King, now 29, scored three tries, kicked four goals, registered five try assists and made more than 120 tackles during her nine appearances for the Red V to date.
Coach Jamie Soward, who himself played State of Origin for New South Wales, can’t wait to have one of the greatest sevens players of all time back among the Dragons’ ranks.
“Her making the decision last year to join the Dragons was a really proud one that I didn’t take lightly, and the club understood how important that was,” Soward explained.
Look who’s back 👀
Tyla King (née Nathan-Wong) makes a return to the Red V on a 2-year deal 🤩
ADVERTISEMENTRead here: https://t.co/hy0VQ3D1wx#RedV #BreatheFire @tylanathanwong @sowwowofficial6 pic.twitter.com/T1Wwecpp64
— St George Illawarra Dragons (@NRL_Dragons) April 17, 2024
“For her to go and represent her country at the Olympics and decide she’s going to finish up her sporting career at the Dragons shows where the club is at. It shows how much w look after our players and that we want them to be the best, but we also want them to get better.
“We can’t wait to have Tyla back for another two years. She had a great first NRLW season capped off with beating the Jillaroos in the halves with Raecene (McGregor).
“It’s really exciting that we get to have Tyla back and what she means to our club and her professionalism going forward is something that we’re really proud of.”
Geez you really have to question the NRLs ability to produce players of quality. Its pathetic. Dont the 25mil in Aus produce enough quality womens players. Sad.