Finding her voice: How Nizza grew from teenage star into Blues leader

Nizza has long been viewed as a leader within the women's rugby league space and captained the Illawarra Steelers during the inaugural Tarsha Gale Cup season in 2017. 

From there she enjoyed a rapid rise, making her NRLW debut for the Dragons as an 18-year-old in 2018 and earning a Jillaroos call up later that year. 

Nizza had to wait a little longer to represent her state, but that eventually came in 2021 and she has played in every State of Origin game since. 

Despite her young age, the hooker has always demonstrated a maturity and ability to dissect opponents well beyond her years.

Current NSW teammate Kezie Apps first spotted Nizza while watching the 2017 Tarsha Gale Cup season and instantly recognised the traits that have allowed the hooker to enjoy a long, successful career. 

"It was easy to forget how young she was," Apps said. "She had this presence and aura with the way she talked and knew the game. 

"She was so smart and switched on at such a young age, which impressed me and now we can see how she's grown and developed into the player she is today. I hate playing against her but I love playing with and getting to see her showcase what she's truly made of. 

"She's one of the players in our side, and there's a few of them, who played in the first Tarsha Gale Cup season and then she got to play in NRLW in 2018 when she was just 18. 

"She's someone who's been in the pathways and developing and has reached an elite level and we're going to see more of that with more girls coming through."

Nizza and back-up hooker Olivia Higgins have formed a dynamic one-two combo for the Blues, with the No.9 laying the platform early before her Higgins brought the energy off the bench in Game One. 

The starter returned with the scores level midway through the second half and helped her side secure a thrilling victory in front of more than 20,000 fans in Newcastle.

In a further sign of the growth of women's rugby league, a record crowd exceeding 27,000 spectators is expected at Suncorp Stadium on Thursday night.

In developing into a leader for the Blues, Nizza headlines an emerging crop of players who have a growing voice within women's rugby league. 

As veterans such as Apps and Jillaroos skipper Ali Brigginshaw reach the end of their careers, it will soon come time for the next generation to lead the sport into the future. 

Having watched Nizza grow up throughout the past decade, Apps is confident the game is in good hands. 

"I'm grateful to still be part of the growth and to see these players," Apps said. "They didn't have to stop playing rugby league at 11 or 12, they've had pathways all the way through to a senior level. 

"You're seeing the development of these girls and how much fitter and stronger they are at a younger age. Where they're at now is where I'm at because I didn't have that at that young age. 

"I started weights training in 2014 when I was 23, they've had this development since they were 15 or 16. You're seeing it in the girls coming through, the physiques and the athleticism is amazing. 

"The game's in such good hands, it's come on in leaps and bounds. It's exciting to see where the game can get to and we're not even full time. Imagine what we'll be like once we're able to train full time and be professional athletes."

Tickets for Game Two of the Women's State of Origin series are available from $10 for kids and $20 for adults. Click here to get your tickets and witness history live.