Playmaker Raecene McGregor has made an enormous impact in three seasons in the Kiwi Ferns jersey, as well as at NRLW level.
Sydney-born to New Zealander parents, McGregor is a genuine sporting all-rounder, representing NSW and Australia in soccer, touch rugby and Rugby Sevens.
But after linking up with an Australia-based Kiwi Ferns training squad, the 20-year-old was invited to New Zealand for a trial and won selection for the Rugby League World Cup. McGregor was one of the breakout stars at the tournament, scoring two tries on debut against Cook Islands, and dotting down versus Papua New Guinea (playing at fullback) and against Australia in the final after unseating Georgia Hale for the No.6.
McGregor’s stunning cut-out pass to send Honey Hireme over for the Kiwi Ferns’ first try in the decider will live long in the memory.
The Cabramatta Two Blues star earned an NRLW contract with St George Illawarra for the historic 2018 competition, playing all three of the Dragons’ games. She featured in the subsequent 26-24 Test loss to the Jillaroos in Auckland.
McGregor produced a try and a try-assist as well as running for 95 metres in a standout showing at halfback as New Zealand defeated Samoa midway through 2019. Snapped up by Brisbane for the second NRLW premiership, she then partnered Jillaroos gun Ali Brigginshaw in the halves as the Broncos powered to back-to-back grand final victories.
Less than a week before her 22 nd birthday, the burgeoning ball-player was named Player of the Tournament after the Kiwi Ferns’ sensational World Cup Nines triumph. She scored the opening try and kicked two goals in the epic 17-15 win over the Jillaroos in the final.
McGregor donned the No.7 again as New Zealand suffered a 28-8 Test loss to Australia in Wollongong a week later.
A standout in Māori All Stars’ loss to Indigenous All Stars during the 2020 pre-season, McGregor switched to Wests Tigers for the NSW Women’s Premiership and helped steer the Broncos to another NRLW title.
