While still somewhat of an unknown quantity, the scouting report says big, strong, runs hard and has plenty of upside, with former Australian rugby sevens international Rhiannon Byers signing on to play for the NRLW Sharks in 2023.
For a three-year period, Byers represented as a member of the highly successful Australian Women’s sevens team, before making the switch to the 13-aside game, playing the recent Harvey Norman Women’s Premiership season for the Sharks.
Showing potential and the ability to handle the change in codes, Sharks Coach Tony Herman and NRLW & Female Pathway Manager Casey Bromilow decided Byers was definitely a project worth investing in.
“Rhiannon is a good athlete, has competed in big games on the world stage and showed us enough in the Harvey Norman season to indicate she will be a success in the NRLW,” Bromilow said.
“No doubt she still has some things to learn about rugby league but we are excited to have her on board and look forward to seeing her develop.”
Born in Moree in northern NSW, Byers moved to Sydney after completing her HSC at Warialda High in 2017.
From there her talents were recognised with Byers earning selection in the Australian 7’s team in 2019, where she played her part in the team winning Gold Medals in the Oceania 7’s, in Dubai and a silver medal at World Series titles during the 2019/2020 season.
Byers will compete for a position in the backrow of the Sharks NRLW team once training officially commences on May 29.
A proud Wiradjuri woman, Byers took part in the Sharks indigenous round photo shoot, alongside teammates Quincy Dodd and Jada Taylor, as well as Sharks NRL players Jesse Ramien, Braydon Trindall and Will Kennedy, which was conducted at sunrise in Cronulla last week.
For a full list of our 2023 NRLW signings, take a look at our NRLW Signing Tracker.
