Power clears the air on cryptic Origin wrist message
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Shaniah Power reckons it's been eight years since she last had a rum with coke and it'll be even longer before she consumes one again.
The 26-year-old has got used to answering questions about her relationship with the beverage this month, after she took the field in Queensland's 18-10 victory in Game One of the Ampol Women's State of Origin with the two words written on her wrist.
While it wasn't the first time she'd done it, the magnitude of the series opener – which was played in front of a women's Origin record crowd of 12,972 in Sydney – means it's suddenly a popular talking point.
As it turns out it has nothing to do with alcohol and everything to do with paying tribute to two of the most important figures in Power's life.
"I wear it on my wrist for a more sentimental reason. My mum and dad, that was their nickname as a couple when they first started seeing each other," Power told NRL.com.
"Mum's name is Rosemary but her siblings nicknamed her 'rum' growing up and when she met dad, who is dark skinned, that was the joke they came up with.
Everyone thinks I am so passionate about rum and cokes that I can't put them down now... so that was definitely a misinterpretation!
Shaniah Power
"But mum and dad think it's pretty cool and we all had a good laugh about it after the game."
Come Thursday night's second and final game of the series, Power will have the chance to represent family on the field again, but this time with a large contingent of them watching on from the stands.
Match: Maroons v Sky Blues
Game 2 -
home Team
Maroons
away Team
Sky Blues
Venue: Queensland Country Bank Stadium, Townsville
Hailing from Bowen, the game in Townsville – which is around a two-and-a-half-hour drive away – is as close as Power has got to playing a hometown game at elite level.
"All of my family will be coming to watch, which will be really nice for me," she said.
"Almost all of the other games I have played have been in Brisbane, the Gold Coast or Sydney, so this will be a home game for me and a special one."
An outrageous try from Power
Power will be joined in the Maroons squad for Game Two by her future Cowboys NRLW teammate China Polata, who has been named to debut on the wing in place of the suspended Julia Robinson.
Queensland bench hooker Emma Manzelmann has also signed on to be part of the club's inaugural campaign.
