A stellar NRLW rookie campaign for fledgling Cronulla Sharks catapulted centre Annessa Biddle into the Kiwi Ferns’ Pacific Championship squad in 2023.
The Otara Scorpions product scored two tries, racked up 1,366 running metres and made 33 tackle-breaks for the Sharks in their foundation season to collect a swag of awards.
Biddle was named Cronulla’s Players’ Player and Rookie of the Year, while she collected the Rugby League Players’ Association NRLW Rookie of the Year and Dally M NRLW Rookie of the Year honours.
The tyro scored a try on Test debut as a winger in the loss to Australia in Townsville, switched to the second-row against Tonga and dotted down again in a win, and produced a vitally industrious display (73 metres and 26 tackles) in the Kiwi Ferns’ pack as they carved out a memorable victory in Melbourne.
After representing Māori All Stars in the second-row during the 2024 pre-season, Biddle was one of the Sharks’ standouts in their drive to the NRLW grand final. She scored four tries in 11 games, racked up 49 tackle-breaks and averaged 164 metres per game, and became equally highly regarded for her aggressive, effective defence.
Biddle loomed as one of the Kiwi Ferns’ trump cards in the 2024 Pacific Championships and lined up in the second-row in both clashes with the Jillaroos, racking up 96 metres and 39 tackles as arguably their best in the 14-0 loss in Christchurch.
