Otesa Pule hopes her explosive end to the NRLW regular season caught the eye of Kiwi Ferns coach Ricky Henry as she looks a return to the international stage and a second World Cup campaign.
The 23-year-old Roosters prop is no stranger to representing New Zealand, having pulled on the Kiwi Ferns jersey 10 times, and is now determined to help the side go one better at the upcoming World Cup after their defeat to Australia in the 2021 final.
“It is a goal for me, building towards this World Cup, coming off that loss from the last World Cup,” Pule told NRL.com. “So hopefully we can win this next one.”
The tournament also presents a special opportunity for Pule to represent her country in front of family, with the World Cup being held on home soil.
The Kiwi Ferns open their campaign against Fiji Bulikula at Newcastle's McDonald Jones Stadium as part of a double-header with Fiji Bati and Cook Islands Aitu on October 18.
New Zealand then travel to Christchurch to play France on October 25 at OneNZ Stadium before meeting PNG Orchids in a triple header at Cbus Super Stadium on October 31.
“I can get all my family to come around and watch me play because it’s hard having games away from Australia, so it’ll be really good for the fam,” she said.
“We’re all from New Zealand, so hopefully everyone can come down, especially to our game on the Gold Coast.”
Pule became the youngest player in NRLW history to reach 50 games and has established herself in the Roosters’ starting side.
The 23 year-old produced a statement performance against the Bulldogs in Round 11, bursting through the line for a runaway 50-metre try to complete a memorable double.
Otesa Pule powers her way to a double
After entering the match without a try all season, Pule finished the night with two and provided a glimpse of the attacking threat she has continued to develop throughout her fifth NRLW campaign.
Her double against the Bulldogs was a reward for the work she had been putting in across the campaign.
“I just went out there wanting to work hard for my team and came up with a few meat pies,” Pule said.
“I was honestly thinking with tunnel vision. I just wanted the ball to get my team down the other end, whether it was scoring a try or not.
“I’m building each week just to get better for my teammates, whether that’s working on my defence or getting them down the field with my runs."
Roosters coach John Strange has played an important role in helping Pule develop confidence in her game, encouraging her to trust her instincts and enjoy her football.
“He always tells me to play with confidence and have fun out there, because sometimes I do get in my head and think about it too much,” she said.
“So it’s about going out there and having fun with my team, doing everything I can for them and working on the small effort areas that we’ve been focusing on to become better teammates.”
Pule has also benefited from the guidance of Jillaroos forwards Millie Elliott and Olivia Kernick, who she is likely to come up against in the play-off stage of RLWC26.
“It’s good to have Millie and Kernick’s experience, especially because I’m young myself,” she said.
“Just learning from them has been huge for me, and hopefully they stick around for the next few years and continue to play for us.”
Match: New Zealand v Fiji
Round 1 -
home Team
New Zealand
away Team
Fiji
Venue: McDonald Jones Stadium, Newcastle
The Roosters head into the finals one win away from a grand final after completing an undefeated regular season and claiming the minor premiership.
But Pule knows the competition resets once the finals begin, with the side looking to cap off a remarkable campaign with the ultimate prize.
Match: New Zealand v France
Round 2 -
home Team
New Zealand
away Team
France
Venue: One NZ Stadium, Christchurch
“It’s really good to get minor premiers, but going into finals it’s a clean slate,” she said.
“New teams, it won’t be the same teams we versed in the regular-round games, so it’ll be a good challenge for us.”
Match: New Zealand v Papua New Guinea
Round 3 -
home Team
New Zealand
away Team
Papua New Guinea
Venue: Cbus Super Stadium, Gold Coast
Rugby League World Cup 2026 returns to Australia, New Zealand, and Papua New Guinea. Where nations clash, heroes rise, and legends are forged. 3 World Cups. 26 Teams. The World’s Best. Tickets are now on sale from $19. Don’t miss the pinnacle of global Rugby League.
