As NRLW sides begin to hit the business end of finalising their sides for 2025, the North Queensland Cowboys have added both Rosie Kelly and Hailee-Jay Ormond-Maunsell.
Kelly, a Kiwi international, is no stranger to NRLW, having played for the Parramatta Eels last season. Kelly has signed on for three seasons with the club.
An international fly-half in rugby union and a centre in rugby league during her time at the Eels, the Cowboys are pleased to have her on board and want Kelly to play in the halves.
“We watched Rosie closely last year at the Eels and we thought she played really well in a position she was unfamiliar with in the centres coming over as a rugby fly-half,” Cowboys NRLW Head Coach Ricky Henry said.
“She has good speed, a good awareness of the game and a nice pass which we didn’t see a lot of last year because she played centre.
“We’ve brought Rosie in to play in the halves, which will create a three-way battle with Kirra Dibb and Tahlulah Tillett.”
Also signing on with the Cowboys for season 2025 is Ormond-Maunsell who most recently played NRLW for the Titans but has suffered injury struggles in recent times.
Henry believes that the game is yet to see the best of Ormond-Maunsell.
“Hailee has been one of the best juniors to come through her region, but has been injured the last few years,” Henry said.
“If she can reach her potential, she has the ability to be one of the best back-rowers or centres in the competition.
“Her potential is truly untapped, we haven’t seen the best of her, which is what we are hoping to bring out at the Cowboys.”
