On Thursday evening, Tiana Penitani-Gray will put on the NSW Blues jersey for the 12th time in her illustrious career, but this time she will be playing in a position that is completely new to her.

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Previously playing in the halves, on the wing and in the centres, the NRLW star has now been shifted to the back-row for the opening match of the 2026 Women’s State of Origin series against Queensland.

This comes after she impressed in the new role in just 13 minutes during an in-house trial in the Blues six-week training camp.

“It’s something Strangey (NSW coach John Strange) had an idea of when we had our internal trials. He put me there and gave me a really simple task and was happy with how I played,” she said in the lead-up to the match.

“If anyone watches our games and has watched me, I’ve played like a backrower in the centres for a little while. It’s a big part of my game.

“I’m not underestimating the role by any means. I know it’s a really big job, but I’m excited and I think the attributes of being a good backrower are skills I have.

“He’s always said he looks at us as being footballers with attributes and skills rather than you’re only a left centre or a right centre or whatever.

“We trust the process and the plan, if he tells you to play back row you play back row and do your best job.”

NSW trust Tiana Penitani in new role | 01:31

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No stranger to playing in a new position, she was thrown into the halves alongside Jesse Southwell for last year’s series and didn’t look out of place as the Blues won the shield.

Showing her versatility, she is looking forward to the challenge on Thursday night at McDonald Jones Stadium in Newcastle.

However, Penitani-Gray jokingly admitted that she might need to eventually hang up the boots if she is moved into the middle of the field as a front-rower or dummy-half.

“I’m feeling quietly confident, I know what’s required from a good backrower, given I’ve played six and centre,” she added.

“I feel really excited that I get to be in that position and dictate how our middle and edge defence works.

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“If you’re part of this intimate squad in the six-week block, what Strangey does is no shock to us.

“That’s something we know, trust and love about Strangey, he’s really unorthodox and creative.

“If I end up getting pushed into the middle or at hooker, that’s probably time to hang the boots up. That’s not happening!“