Captaincy holds no real concerns for Westpac NSW Under 19s women State of Origin halfback Kasey Reh.
The 18-year-old is getting quite used to having the ‘c’ against her name.
Reh led the Illawarra Steelers to the premiership in the Westpac Tarsha Gale Cup Grand Final in April after a 24-12 win over the Newcastle Knights.
She also captained the Australian Schoolgirls in 2023 and this week will lead the NSW Under 19s against Queensland at Leichhardt Oval on Thursday night (5.45pm kick-off) in the annual State of Origin match.
“I think I got pretty lucky to be selected as captain of this team. We have a lot of great leaders among a pretty great bunch of girls,” Reh told nswrl.com.au after a training session at NSWRL’s Centre of Excellence.
“I know it’s a little extra pressure on me but I can lean on them and I hope they’ll lean on me.”
The job conceivably will be a little easier as eight of her Steelers teammates are in the NSW line-up.
“It’s a really good connection between us Steelers girls that we’ve built on and off the field this year.
“I hope that shows when we play, this time in our NSW jerseys. I’m very grateful to take the field with them all again.”
Reh, who is the niece of True Blues and Manly Warringah premiership winners Glenn and Brett Stewart, has also harboured a desire to wear the Sky Blue jersey.
“Definitely a goal when I started the Tarsha Gale pre-season. I kept thinking I wanted to win Tarsha first and then hope that what I did in those games might pay off and I’d get into this jersey.
“I’m so honoured to wear it.
“I’m always proud of my family and what my uncles did in this jersey.”
For now she is pouring her energy into reversing last year’s Under 19s Origin result – a 20-14 win to the Maroons.
There are two returning Blues members from that game – centre Lindsay Tui (Parramatta Eels) and utility Evie Jones (Newcastle Knights).
“Having those two from last year’s side has had an immediate effect,” Reh said.
“They’ve been able to tell us what to expect and given us a slice of how competitive and physical the Under 19s match is.
“I think our team is up for that – we’re ready for it, and we’re keen for it.”
Instructions from NSW coach Kate Mullaly were simple.
“She just said to me to be clear, be confident and back myself.”
