Queensland rookie Destiny Mino-Sinapati had the unenviable task of stepping into the boots of injured skipper Tamika Upton, but was able to make the role her own in her impressive debut.
Admitting to feeling some nerves before the game about stepping into the fullback role, it didn’t show on the field, with the 21-year-old handling the task impressively.
As well as defusing kicks and breaking tackles, Mino-Sinapati also made 119 metres for her side in their hard-fought 12-4 loss to the Blues, only beaten by workhorse prop Jessika Elliston with 136.
“Honestly lost for words,” Mino-Sinapati said of making her debut.
“I'm just so grateful to put on the jersey and represent the state, the girls, my family and myself.
“It was everything and more.
“Honestly, I didn't think that I was going to get my chance this year and then getting the chance to put on the jersey, it's a moment that I'll cherish for the rest of my life.
“And to play along with these girls as well, the best in the state, I've made sisters for life.”
Mino-Sinapati was emblematic of this year’s Queensland side that had lost a vast wealth of experience with the retirement in recent years of Maroons stalwarts Ali Brigginshaw and Tazmin Rapana and unavailability this series of players like Tarryn Aiken, Evania Isa’ako and Shannon Mato.
From the field: Lauren Brown
Full of enthusiasm and a willingness to learn, Maroons coach Nathan Cross was full of praise for a player he likened to “a female Keano Kini” pre-game for her kinetic style of play.
“I struggle to find words and superlatives for Des, she is a 10 out of 10 human being,” Cross said.
“If you could coach 17 Destiny Minos each week, I am going to coach for the next 50 years because that is how enjoyable she is to coach.
“She is a ripper.
“Nothing surprised me tonight because we’ve seen it at training and done the work, she’s done the reps.
“Her character is such that she was disappointed at the end because she let me down because she was cramping.
“That's her, she was enormous and I'm so proud of her and wow, what a what a future.”
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For Mino-Sinapati, this year’s experience in camp under Cross had been one of growth, with the Samoa representative looking to take her form into the upcoming NRLW season, where she will again play Cbus Super Stadium with the Titans.
“Crossy has been amazing and all the staff have been so good with helping me and prepping me for the game,” Mino-Sinapati said.
“I feel like I've learned so much in this camp that I can take on in NRLW.
“Being out with injury as well for the last few years, confidence was a big thing, and I think I've built that confidence in this camp.
“I'm ready to go into NRLW land and bring all this experience that I've learned and go in confident.”
With the future looking bright, Cross – who is signed on to continue as head coach of the Maroons next season – said he was looking forward to building on his maiden campaign in the role.
“Of course we're disappointed, that's obvious,” Cross said.
“You lose a series and you lose it 3-0, but I'm just looking in that room and looking at the future and how many girls have debuted this year and how bright the future is and I'm just so excited by what's ahead.
“It's been challenging and obviously at times when you feel like you're throwing so much out and getting nothing back, but when you sign up to be a coach, that's also the territory that you that you're in.
“I feel like if we keep doing the right thing, we keep working really hard, we keep investing in the right players, this will turn.
“The New South Wales team's a great team, and full credit to them, sometimes class and experience wins in the end, and I think probably that was telling over the series and well done to them.
“But we're coming and we'll see them next year.”
Match: Maroons v Blues Women
Game 3 -
home Team
Maroons
away Team
Blues Women
Venue: Cbus Super Stadium, Gold Coast
