Otesa Pule of New Zealand. Kiwi Ferns v Mate Ma’a Tonga at Eden Park, Auckland, New Zealand on Saturday 21 October 2023. Photo: Alan Lee / www.photosport.nz
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Otesa Pule always dreamed of wearing a fern on her chest, she just thought it would be on a dress, not a jersey.
Pule saw her sporting future on the netball court, revering Maria Folau as a youngster and imagining one day emulating her idol.
"I used to play netball when I was growing up, I never watched footy and I wanted to represent the Silver Ferns, but clearly I got brought down the rugby path and now I'm a Kiwi Fern."
That path was discovered when she was introduced to the physicality of rugby league.
"I just joined a few of my mates back in school. We went down to the field where they had training and I was watching, I'm really aggressive and I saw what they were doing and was like, 'oh my God, I think I would actually like that.' And then I just jumped in and I never stopped from there."
It didn't take long for her talents to be realised and she was snapped up by the NRLW.
"When I first came in, I didn't really know much about footy, but I met my coach at the Roosters (John Strange) and he really shaped me into the player that I am."
Since joining the tricolours in 2022, Pule has won a premiership, two minor premierships, and was a losing finalist in this year's decider.
"After the game there was tears, but not really disappointment, I guess we're just so proud of the season we had."
Now based in Sydney, having left Aotearoa as a ten-year-old, Pule said it was always special to return home.
"Always honoured to represent where I'm from, I was born and bred in New Zealand, this is where I'm from and this is where I started."
While eligible for the Ferns through birth, the Jillaroos through residency, and Fetu Samoa through heritage, it was an easy choice for Pule to pledge for New Zealand.
Otesa Pule of New Zealand in action during the match against Cook Islands - New Zealand Kiwi Ferns v Cook Islands, The Rugby League World Cup England 2021 (played in 2022) at LNER Community Stadium, York, England on Sunday 6 November 2022. © Mandatory credit: Will Palmer / www.photosport.nz Photo: Will Palmer / www.photosport.nz
She joins one of the most star studded Kiwi Ferns squads ever named.
"On paper, it is pretty stacked. We have been building over the past few years with everyone here, so the connections will definitely be there and I'm excited to get on the field with everyone this year."
Selected for the 2022 World Cup at just 19, Pule believed the side was shaping up incredibly strongly ahead of next year's tournament.
"We didn't get the result we wanted. I guess it'll be a bit of redemption for us against going up against the Jillaroos. Looking back now, I was very young and I've grown heaps as a player, so I'll be ready to rip in when that comes around."
Still only 22, Pule was already among the more experienced Kiwi Ferns campaigners.
"I do feel like I'm a senior member of the squad, especially with the years of NRLW, I do seem like a senior in this space."
She said it's been incredible to see the rapid rise of the women's game.
"To see the pathways open now is pretty cool, especially from when I started."
Back in Kiwi Ferns camp, Pule said the culture was something very unique to this team.
"It's just a sisterhood vibe. No one's being left out or is different. Everyone is included in everything."
The side had also taken time to honour their foundation players, as the Kiwi ferns celebrate 30 years since their inception.
"We look back to our pioneers of the Kiwi Ferns, we speak about them, and they inspire us."
New Zealand’s Otesa Pule - New Zealand Kiwi Ferns v France Women, Round 1 of the Women’s Rugby League World Cup England 2021 (played in 2022) at LNER Community Stadium, York, England on Wednesday 2 November 2022. Photo: Alex Whitehead / www.photosport.nz
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