The North Queensland Toyota Cowboys have agreed to a three-year contract with New Zealand Rugby International Rosie Kelly running through the 2027 season.
Born on New Zealand’s South Island, Kelly played for Canterbury and Otago in the National Provincial Championship before making her Super Rugby debut for the Matatu in 2022.
The talented fly-half made her international debut for the Black Ferns in 2023, playing four games.
Kelly transitioned to rugby league in 2024, starting all nine games of the NRLW season at centre for the Parramatta Eels.
“We watched Rosie closely last year at the Eels and we thought she played really well in a position she was unfamiliar with in the centres coming over as a rugby fly-half,” Cowboys NRLW Head Coach Ricky Henry said.
“She has good speed, a good awareness of the game and a nice pass which we didn’t see a lot of last year because she played centre.
“We’ve brought Rosie in to play in the halves, which will create a three-way battle with Kirra Dibb and Tahlulah Tillett.”
The Cowboys have also agreed to a one-year deal with former Titans junior Hailee-Jay Ormond-Maunsell.
Ormond-Maunsell has appeared in 11 games over the course of four seasons for the Titans, despite battling through multiple serious injuries.
“Hailee has been one of the best juniors to come through her region, but has been injured the last few years,” Henry said.
“If she can reach her potential, she has the ability to be one of the best back-rowers or centres in the competition.
“Her potential is truly untapped, we haven’t seen the best of her, which is what we are hoping to bring out at the Cowboys.”
