'An appetite to explore': Rugby Australia rejects request from Levi sisters to play NRLW
Updated . First published
Rugby Australia has rejected a request from sevens stars Maddison and Teagan Levi to play in the NRLW next year.
NRLW clubs Wests Tigers and Gold Coast Titans approached the sisters to gauge their interest for the 2025 season, following their starring roles at the Paris Olympics.
Rugby Australia CEO Phil Waugh stepped in to put an end to the potential move and expected them to fulfil their obligations to the game.
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Sisters Maddison (L) and Teagan Levi Getty
"Maddison and Teagan are world class players and highly valued by Australian rugby," Waugh said.
"They were the talk of the rugby world after their brilliant performances at the Paris Olympics and a key factor in the Australian women's sevens team's victory in the final of the HSBC SVNS in Madrid earlier this year.
"We look forward to the Levis playing leading roles in more major tournament success in rugby in the years ahead."
Rugby Australia CEO Phil Waugh at the 2024 Super Rugby Pacific season launch. Getty
Teagan, 21, and Maddison, 22, can earn up to $100,000 as marquee players for a maximum 13-week stint in the competition next year, The Sydney Morning Herald reports.
That figure is almost as much as they earn in a year under their fulltime contracts with Rugby Australia, which expire at the end of 2026.
RA powerbrokers want the sisters to make themselves available for the Wallaroos' World Cup campaign next year.
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But the report states the siblings are reluctant to play the 15-a-side version of the sport and would prefer to earn the extra money available in rugby league.
The sisters' manager, former duel international Mat Rogers, said conversations with RA were ongoing.
"Our priority at Rogers Sports Management is Maddie and Teagan Levi," Rogers said.
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"We understand that rugby has afforded them an amazing opportunity, but these young women are phenomenal athletes in demand in three codes; AFL, rugby league and rugby union. They are currently contracted to rugby union.
"There's no doubt we will honour that contract but we're always exploring ways to maximise the earning capacity of our girls that best suits their future.
"There has been an appetite to explore it, but with the rugby women's World Cup on the horizon, it doesn't look likely they will be afforded the opportunity to play."
