The little voice on her shoulder keeps Rima going in tough times

When the lungs are starting to burn and the legs feel a little heavy, prop Rima Butler can hear one clear voice across the Roosters defensive line. 

“It’s usually Olivia Kernick, who I can hear for the whole time I’m on the field,” Butler told NRL.com. 

“She’s always saying, ‘Come on Rima’, ‘Let’s go Rima’ and I’m like ‘Yep, yep, I got you Kernick’.” 

Don’t be mistaken. Butler loves the sound of her award-winning lock in her ears – she’s also heard it a lot more of late. 

Butler, 28, made her Jillaroos debut in last year’s Pacific Championships and then her NSW Origin debut this year – Kernick was right beside her for those games too. 

And Butler is grateful she can lean on and learn from the 2024 Dally M Player of the Year and the 2025 Nellie Doherty Medal winner.

The Sydney Roosters will be depending on both women to help them topple defending premiers Broncos in Sunday’s NRLW grand final. 

“She’s moving us around in the field, telling us where to get to,” Butler said. 

“Obviously it is a washing machine out there at times – and you’re just trying to be where you’re supposed to and Olivia does a lot of that organising. 

“Cheeky (hooker Keeley Nizza) does a bit too but Olivia is the mainstay of our middle, holding it together for us there.   

“And why shouldn’t she be? She’s got the runs on the board... she’s incredible.” 

Another pulling her weight in the forwards is newcomer Sariah Paki, who has been turning heads on the Roosters left edge after arriving from Rugby Sevens. 

The 24-year-old has played every game this year, scored six tries, made 10 line breaks and 23 tackle breaks. 

“I think my footwork from rugby union has helped me, so coming into contact here I try to be that light on my feet as well,” she said. 

“But I’m learning heaps from people like Rima and Olivia... just how hard they work.  

“They’re all so eager to be the best teammates, the best forward pack. I love how resilient they are.” 

Butler said with younger players maturing from the Roosters pathways, or coming across from rugby like Paki, she feels she has to keep proving herself despite having earned an Australian and Origin jersey. 

“A hundred per cent it’s still competitive within the club because we’ve got so many players pushing for spots," she said.

“I enjoy it because girls like Sariah remind me I have to be better.

“Sariah has been incredible and she’s had to learn so many different rules and techniques. 

“Being a great athlete I think the transition for her has been relatively easy because she has a lot of skills. 

“She works hard and is always open to learning.”