Former Australia rugby union rep Shanice Parker earned Kiwi Ferns selection for the Rugby League World Cup at the end of 2022 after NRLW stints with Sydney Roosters and Newcastle Knights.
WA-born Parker, whose mother, Danielle, was part of the Jillaroos’ 2000 World Cup squad, began her rugby league journey as a Willagee Bears junior in Perth. Trying her hand in the 15-a-side code, she turned out for the NSW Waratahs Super W team on her way to a Wallaroos call-up.
Back in rugby league, Parker played for North Sydney Bears in the NSWRL Women’s Premiership in 2018 and made a solitary NRLW appearance for the Roosters in 2019. The 22-year-old locked down a wing spot for the Tricolours in 2020 and featured in the club’s grand final loss to the Broncos, as well as representing NSW in its State of Origin loss to Queensland.
Parker scored a try in Māori All Stars’ 24-0 win over their Indigenous counterparts in the 2021 pre-season. She was signed by Newcastle Knights for the 2022 NRLW competition and played all seven games at centre or fullback as the club powered to the title. Named the Knights’ Player of the Year, Parker subsequently snared a place in the New Zealand’s squad to make the World Cup trip to England.
She scored a try on Kiwi Ferns Test debut at centre in the pool win over France and backed up to play fullback in the victory over Cook Islands four days later, but did not feature in subsequent matches at the tournament.
Parker was a key component of the Knights’ drive to a second straight NRLW premiership in 2023, cementing a centre spot and scoring six tries – including a four-pointer in the thrilling grand final win over the Titans.
The dynamic outside back received another Kiwi Ferns call-up for the Pacific Championships, producing an impactful – and versatile – campaign. Parker made 165 metres from 18 runs at centre in the loss to Australia in Townsville, slotted in at fullback in the win over Tonga at Eden Park and was busy on the wing in the stunning victory over the Jillaroos in Melbourne.
Parker played all 10 matches for the Knights at centre in 2024, scoring two tries, making five line-breaks and recording five try assists, along with 116 metres per game. Her experience and versatility shaped as a valuable commodity for the Kiwi Ferns ahead of their Pacific Championships tilt – and so it proved, running for 120-plus metres in both losses to Australia as a winger and lining up at fullback in the 36-0 shutout of Papua New Guinea.
