In a breakout season that also included debut for the Māori Ferns and the NSW Origin side, versatile Cronulla Sharks forward Brooke Anderson received a maiden Kiwi Ferns call-up for the end-of-year Pacific Championships in 2023.
The Rugby Sevens star was plagued by serious shoulder, knee and Achilles injuries, which seemingly dashed the Sydney-born athlete’s professional sporting ambitions. But Anderson fought back and her form with Cronulla’s Harvey Norman Women’s Premiership side in 2022 led to an NRLW debut with Parramatta, playing five matches for the Eels and scoring a try in their grand final loss to the Knights with the No.9 on her back.
Following her representative breakthroughs in 2023, the 27-year-old played all nine of the Sharks’ foundation NRLW foundation season matches at lock, hooker or off the bench, scoring two tries.
Anderson made the New Zealand No.9 jersey her own during the Pacific Championships, playing all three games and averaging 27 tackles. She was especially impressive in the stunning 12-6 win over Australia in Melbourne, however, making 13 runs for 96 metres and 25 tackles.
After featuring at lock for the Māori Ferns in early-2024, Anderson played every match of the Sharks’ campaign in that position – including their gallant NRLW grand final loss to the Roosters. Anderson averaged 30.8 tackles and 84 metres per game at club level, emphasising the work-rate the Kiwi Ferns can expect during the subsequent Pacific Championships campaign.
Anderson lined up at hooker in all three Tests against Australia and Papua New Guinea, averaging 27 tackles.
