Rima Butler grew up dreaming of emulating cousin Harata Butler by representing NSW and now the Blues forward hopes to inspire her son Cassius when she makes her Origin debut at Suncorp Stadium on Thursday night.
Butler, who watched Harata play in the 2014 Interstate Challenge, is humbled to have been called into the Blues side on the interchange after Kezie Apps shifted to the secondrow in place of the injured Tiana Penitani Gray.
The Sydney Roosters forward is excited to return to a venue that holds special memories for her after last year making her Test debut for the Jillaroos against Fetu Samoa at Suncorp Stadium.
After winning the series opener in Newcastle 11-6, the Blues are looking to retain the Origin Shield they won last year but know the Maroons will be more formidable at home in a must win match that kicks off the NRL's Magic Round.
“Running out there and feeling the atmosphere, I know it’s going to be insane - a real pinch me moment," Butler said.
"I am so grateful to be playing this game and so excited, I can already feel the nerves. I had couple of cousins that played before they made it State of Origin and I thought that would be so cool, so to play on that same stage means a lot."
Yet the game has come a long way since Harata and another of Butler's cousins, Teina Clark, played.
Butler is one of several Blues players who will spend Mothers Day in Origin camp; a reflection of the progression and strength of elite female athletes in the modern game.
Blues prop Millie Elliott, who returned to the Blues side in the series opener after missing last season while she was pregnant, and utility Corban Baxter are the other mothers in the NSW squad for Origin II.
Sharks frontrower Caitlan Johnston-Green (NSW) and Broncos prop Shannon Mato (Queensland) are members of the extended Origin squads for their states.
Butler, who became a mother to Cassius six years, praised the growth of the women’s game and the programs now in place to support working mothers to continue their rugby league careers.
“One day he’s going to realise how cool his mum is,” Butler laughed.
For now, Butler said Cassius is more excited about catching the plane to Brisbane for Origin II than watching her play but she understands the importance of her role as a visible example for young female athletes.
“I’m in awe of all the women who played before us and paved the way for what we have now,” Butler said.
Elliott said that her perspective on Origin has shifted since giving birth to Gigi last October.
“It’s something I’ve always wanted to be able to do,” said Elliott. “There are so many girls who have paved the way in having kids and coming back to sport, better than the level they were before”.
The Jillaroos prop, who is married to Rabbitohs forward Adam Elliott, welcomed the opportunity to have her daughter alongside her at Origin. Elliott emphasised how special it has been to have Gigi around the team.
“Gigi loves it, and the girls do too," she said. “You see the girls with their little ones, out in the field, celebrating with them, you see it in their faces, it means so much. It’s really nice to have her be a part of it."
As excitement around the NRLW continues to grow, Elliott is thrilled for her daughter to see the women’s game progress.
“More people are watching; more girls can see what they want to be,” Elliot said.
“If Gigi wants to play sports one day and make that a career, that’s very doable”.
On the NRL’s biggest stage, increased visibility has gone beyond elevating women, making pathways clearer, careers longer, and moments like motherhood part of the women’s game.
“When you put these jerseys on, something else comes over you,” Blues forward Kezie Apps said “You're not only playing for yourself. You're playing for all the girls who wore that jersey before you."
With more than 2 million viewers tuning in and an average TV audience of 980,000, Origin I was the most watched rugby league match of the year so far and set a number of broadcast records.
“Back in 2014, I never would’ve thought we’d be having our own standalone game," Apps said. “Women’s Origin has grown and gone bonkers. It’s so special to be a part of this group.”
Having witnessed and played through the societal shift in women’s sport, the Jillaroos captain is enamoured of the growth of the women’s game and the impact that increased visibility and support have on the code.
“The NRLW and Origin are more visible now, and young girls can dream of being anything they want,” said Apps.
“We didn’t have that. But the next generation coming through won’t know any different, and that’s amazing”.
Match: Maroons v Blues Women
Game 2 -
home Team
Maroons
away Team
Blues Women
Venue: Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane
