‘Head and shoulders above’: Joey’s insane praise for cross-code superstar
Andrew Johns had some high praise for Gold Coast Titans young gun Teagan Levi after the star was awarded the 2026 RLPA Rookie of the Year accolade.
Voted in by her NRLW peers, Levi finished a stellar 2026 season with an impressive nine tries across 11 games.
Teagan Levi celebrates her brilliant try. Matt Roberts/Getty Images.
In doing so, she became the first Gold Coast player, across both the men’s and women’s competitions, to win the players’ Rookie of the Year award.
Her seamless transition from rugby sevens caught the attention of rugby league royalty, the eighth immortal being a fan of the cross-code star since her debut.
“Rookie of the year? She’s the player of the year,” Johns said.
“She’s head and shoulders above anyone in the competition. Coming over from rugby sevens; you see (the) men and women who do that, they bring that speed, endurance, which means when they’re under fatigue they can maintain that top speed.
“She’s an absolute superstar. The Titans have been the surprise packet of the competition, (a) big reason is because of Teagan.”
Levi signed with the Titans for the 2026 season after opting to take a sabbatical from her Rugby Australia contract.
She quickly made her mark in the NRLW, beating out fellow finalists Sariah Paki, Fanua Rimoni, Lucy Spain, and Mercedez Taulelei-Siala for the rookie honour.
Levi was presented the award during Freddy and the Eighth by Marlee Silva and was moved by the recognition from her peers.
“I’m a bit speechless right now,” Levi said.
“To be selected by my opposition ... I think it’s a privilege and an honour. Before I even came across to the league, I didn’t want to embarrass myself, that was my main thing.”
Despite the individual accolade, Levi remains focused on the ultimate team goal. The Titans finished the regular season with a 10-1 record, their most successful in club history.
“I wanted to make this team (Gold Coast) a better team and yet, this is just such an honour to be given this,” she said.
“I’m really excited to hopefully bring a premiership home to the Gold Coast, something that no Gold Coast team has done.”
Gold Coast will now host their first NRLW preliminary final at Cbus Stadium next weekend against the eventual winner of the elimination final between the Brisbane Broncos and Newcastle Knights.
