Player Charntay Poko

[mt.wellington]

Charntay Poko

​

Charntay Poko (born 10 November 1995) is a New Zealand rugby league and union footballer. Primarily a halfback or lock, she is a New Zealand representative. She previously played for the New Zealand Warriors and Newcastle Knights in the NRL Women's Premiership.

Born in Auckland, Poko is of Cook Island descent.

Poko played for the Papanui Tigers in the Canterbury Rugby League competition and represented Canterbury in both rugby league and rugby union. In 2016, she was named in the New Zealand wider squad.

In 2019, Poko began playing for the Richmond Roses in the Auckland Rugby League. On 22 June 2019, she made her debut for New Zealand, starting at five-eighth and kicking four goals in a 46–8 win over Samoa.

On 10 July 2019, Poko joined the New Zealand Warriors NRL Women's Premiership team. In Round 1 of the 2019 NRL Women's season, she made her debut for the Warriors, scoring a try in a 16–12 win over the Sydney Roosters.

In October 2019, she was a member of New Zealand's 2019 Rugby League World Cup 9s-winning squad.

On 1 December 2021, Poko signed with the Newcastle Knights to be a part of their inaugural NRLW squad.

In round 1 of the delayed 2021 NRL Women's season, Poko made her club debut for the Knights against the Parramatta Eels. She played in 5 matches for the Knights, before parting ways with the club at the end of the season.

Poko signed with Matatū in the Super Rugby Aupiki competition for the 2023 season.

 

[mt.wellington]

CHARNTAY POKO – KIWI FERN #145​

A Canterbury star in both rugby codes, Charntay Poko’s shift to the ARL club scene in 2019 catapulted her into the Kiwi Ferns and Warriors NRLW line-ups.

The slick playmaker was a linchpin of the dominant Papanui Tigers side in the Canterbury Rugby League women’s premiership, as well as simultaneously representing her province in the 13- and 15-a-side games.

Poko was named in the Warriors’ inaugural squad in 2018, but she was ruled out of the campaign after it was revealed she had two broken tibias – stress fractures that had developed into full breaks.

But she recovered in time for the 2019 ARL club season, flying from Christchurch to Auckland every week to play for Richmond Roses, including their Grand Final loss to Papakura Sisters. Poko kicked four goals and produced a try-assist on Test debut in the Kiwi Ferns’ mid-season defeat of Fetu Samoa.

The 23-year-old was then one of the standouts of the 2019 NRLW premiership. Immediately garnering attention for her prodigious kicking game, Poko booted a 40-30 that led to the Warriors’ first try and scored one herself in the Round 1 win over Sydney Roosters. She was nominated for the Dally M Women’s Player of the Year award.

Poko was part of New Zealand’s victorious World Cup Nines squad, while she retained the No.6 jersey for the subsequent Test loss to Australia.

Sydenham Swans benefitted from Poko’s return to the CRL women’s competition in 2020, surging to a convincing Grand Final win over Woolston Rams on the back of her classy ball-playing, powerful running game and goalkicking. She was selected in the New Zealand Universities and Tertiary Students Rugby League side at the end of the year.

Poko was the fulcrum of another Swans premiership in 2021, while her brilliance with the ball in hand or on the boot was the standout individual feature of the NZRL National Women’s Competition, which Canterbury won.

CHARNTAY POKO - KIWI FERN #145 - Canterbury Rugby League – Home to the Canterbury Bulls

A Canterbury star in both rugby codes, Charntay Poko’s shift to the ARL club scene in 2019 catapulted her into the Kiwi Ferns and Warriors NRLW line-ups. The slick playmaker was a linchpin of the dominant Papanui Tigers side in the Canterbury Rugby League women’s premiership, as well as...

canterburyrugbyleague.co.nz

 

[mt.wellington]

Halfback Charntay Poko stars on debut as Warriors upset Roosters in NRLW opener​

Marvin France
September 14, 2019 •07:36pm

Charntay Poko with Warriors legend Stacey Jones during the team's jersey presentations this week.ANDREW CORNAGA / PHOTOSPORT

The Warriors have unearthed a star in Charntay Poko as they got their NRLW campaign off to a winning start against the Roosters.

The rookie halfback had the Roosters on the back foot all day with an exceptional long kicking game and scored a try to cap off an impressive display in the 16-12 victory at Melbourne's AAMI Park.

Poko was on the Warriors' radar last year before fracturing both tibias to be ruled out of the inaugural NRLW season.

While she bounced back to make her Kiwi Ferns debut against Samoa in June, few across the Tasman would have known much about the 23-year-old Canterbury playmaker, which Warriors coach Luisa Avaiki joked probably worked in their favour.

"She will definitely attract a lot more attention after today," Avaiki said.

"This year she's really committed herself to getting in shape and putting her best foot forward so she can compete in this competition. It was a long time coming for her.

"The first half was settling period, but come the second half she got some really good touches. What I like about her is that she'll just have a crack, as you saw out there today."

Poko was part of a new-look halves combination alongside former Fiji sevens representative Timaima Ravisa.

The attack initially struggled to get going as the Auckland club failed to convert quality possession into points in the first half and went into the break locked at 6-6.

But their goal-line defence - another key factor in the victory - kept the Warriors in the contest and they found their groove in the second.

Poko and centre Atawhai Tupaea added to skipper Georgia Hale's earlier try before Roosters skipper Simaima Taufa-Kautai grabbed her second with time almost up.


The result was the same as last year's season-opener and leaves the Warriors in perfect position to put one foot in the grand final when they play their first-ever home game next Sunday against the Dragons at Mt Smart Stadium.

"I thought there were areas in our play that we didn't execute very well. We made things very difficult for ourselves but what I was pleased with was our defence," Avaiki said.

Poko stamped her mark on the contest in the opening set of the game as she forced a goal-line dropout with the help of a brilliant kick-chase.

However, the Warriors failed to capitalise on a couple of early attacking opportunities - with a try ruled out when her cut-out pass was ruled to have floated forward.

That turned out to be the theme of the first half as the Warriors came away with nothing from their first four trips to the red zone.

The Roosters, meanwhile, made no mistake with their first chance, Taufa-Kautai crashing over after some sustained pressure on the Warriors' line.


On the back of their athletic outside backs, the Roosters got a roll-on during the back-end of the first half and went close to doubling their lead.

However, a 40/30 from Poko gave the Warriors one last chance before the break to hit back. And they finally converted as Hale combined with veteran hooker Krystal Rota on the fifth tackle to score next to the posts.

The opening 10 minutes of the second half was a real arm-wrestle. But after a penalty carried them upfield, a show-and-go from Poko gave the Warriors a lead they would never relinquish as she snuck over from dummy-half.

Impact player Onjeurlina Leiataua almost put the game to bed with an explosive solo run only to be denied by an incredible try-saving tackle by Roosters five-eighth Kirra Dibb.

Poko again showcased her superb kicking game with a chip and chase forcing another repeat set.

And the pressure proved too much for the Roosters as a sharp run-around play created space on the left edge for Tupaea to seal the result.

Warriors 16 (Georgia Hale, Charntay Poko, Atawhai Tupaea tries; Apii Nicholls 2 goals) Roosters 12 (Simaima Taufa-Kautai 2 tries; Kirra Dibb 2 goals). HT: 6-6.

Stuff

www.stuff.co.nz

 

[mt.wellington]

Against all odds: How Warriors halfback came back from two broken legs to star in NRLW​

By Michael Burgess
28 Sep, 2019 05:00 AM

Charntay Poko smashes past Roosters forward Hannah Southwell to score in the NRLW. Photo / Getty Images

Charntay Poko has gone from unknown to MVP.

While the Warriors' NRLW season goes on the line against the Broncos on Saturday, halfback Poko has a big future in the 13-a-side code.

Unheralded coming into the competition, she has been a revelation, especially with her prodigious kicking game, which has changed the perception of what's possible for female league players

Her performances are even more remarkable given she was ruled out of last season with two broken legs.

After being head hunted by Warriors' coach Luisa Avaiki from the Christchurch competition, Poko was in pre-season when she received devastating news.

"I was training here one night and our physio said 'why are you running like that'," recalled Poko. "I didn't know what she meant, but she knew something was wrong."

Poko had been experiencing pain from shin splints for months, and assumed it was a continuation. But it was far worse.
"I was sent for scans, it turned out both my tibia's were fractured and probably had been for six months," said Poko.

The 23-year-old endured a painful recovery, including time in hospital receiving calcium from a drip to help repair the bones.

On reflection, the stress fractures were no surprise, given Poko's workload over the last few years.

She has been juggling both codes, training four times a week, with rugby on Saturday and league on Sunday.

"It was definitely tough the first year, it felt like I was being run over every weekend," said Poko. "But you get used to it, though it was hard if they were both top of the table games."

A Christchurch native, Poko grew up in a league family and played until she was 13.

She then switched to union, partly because there were no league options in the Garden city for her age at that time. Poko was an immediate success, playing senior rugby as a 14-year-old.

"There were some Black Ferns in the comp and a lot of experienced players," said Poko. "It was scary. In my first game I didn't run, just shoved it on to my outside backs. But as the season went on I found it a good challenge."

Poko's time in rugby as a first five developed her prowess with the boot, which has been the talk of the competition.

She reeled off 515 metres in the round one win over the Roosters (her two opposing halves gained 264 metres between them) and made another 321 metres against the Dragons last Sunday. Poko has also managed 40-30 kicks in both games.

"To me it is normal, to everyone else it seemed quite huge," said Poko. "I didn't realise I kick that many metres and when you compare it to other halves it's a big gap…but to me it's just part of my role."

Poko has also benefitted from tips and training sessions with the likes of All Black Richie Mo'unga and Black Fern Kendra Cocksedge.

"I've spent a lot of time with experts and me and Kendra used to partner up some times."

This year Poko took round trip flights every Sunday to play for Richmond Roses in the Auckland club competition – ("one of the trainers stood in for me during the week so another player didn't miss out") but may relocate ahead of next season.

On Saturday Poko is up against Broncos' halfback Ali Brigginshaw, a cornerstone of the Jillaroos for almost a decade and recognized as one of the best in the sport.

"[The NRLW] has been quite overwhelming, I've never been in this environment but I'm enjoying the ride," said Poko. "Being able to play against some of the best in the game has been amazing and I'm looking forward to this weekend."

NRL: Warriors halfback Poko prodigious punter

The Warriors' halfback was ruled out of the last NRLW season with two broken legs.

www.nzherald.co.nz

 

[mt.wellington]

The Kiwi influence: Knights confirm signings of New Zealand internationals​

Newcastle Knights
Wed 1 Dec 2021, 04:00 pm

The nib Newcastle Knights are thrilled to announce a further nine signings to our NRLW squad for the 2021 season.

Featuring a direct New Zealand influence, all nine players have represented the Kiwi Ferns on the international stage.

The Club has attained the services of Annetta Nuuausala, Autumn-Rain Stephens-Daly, Charlotte Scanlan, Charntay Poko, Kararaina Wira-Kohu, Katelyn Vaha’akolo, Krystal Rota, Maitua Feterika and Ngatokotoru Arakua for the upcoming campaign.

Newcastle Knights and Wests Group CEO, Mr Phillip Gardner, said the latest signings are a huge coup for the Club.

“The announcement of our nine New Zealand players is an incredible moment for the inaugural NRLW side,” Gardner said.

“The ability to attract the calibre of international players that we have is extremely positive for our Club and is a major statement of intent for the campaign.

“I look forward to welcoming the new players to Newcastle and watching them run out in the red and blue jersey.”

The Club welcomes flyers Katelyn Vaha’akolo and Autumn-Rain Stephens-Daly, who have played one Test each for the Ferns in which they both scored memorable debut tries.

The versatile, Maitua Feterika, will don the red and blue having played 10 Tests for the Ferns and featured in the premiership-winning Brisbane Broncos side of 2018, alongside former Bronco and experienced NRLW player in Ngatokotoru Arakua.

Breakout star from the 2019 NRLW season and former New Zealand Warrior, Charntay Poko, joins the team while teammate and former Warrior, Annetta Nuuausala, has also been recruited.

Furthermore, former Auckland women’s sevens captain, Charlotte Scanlan, has signed while Maori All Stars representatives, Krystal Rota and, Kararaina Wira-Kohu, have also come on board.

NRLW Head Coach, Casey Bromilow, said the recruits provide crucial experience and will play an instrumental role in the foundation team.

Gardner and Bromilow officially announce first NRLW signings

“It’s exciting to have nine international New Zealand players joining us,” Bromilow said.

“All of these players bring a wealth of experience and talent to our playing group.

“It’s a throwback to the 1988 men’s team where there was a big mix of local talent and international players from New Zealand. Similar to then, the players will help drive the culture within the Club.

“We can’t wait to have them here in January.”

The latest signings will join the playing group in early January and will begin pre-season training at the new Centre of Excellence.

The Kiwi influence: Knights confirm signings of New Zealand internationals

The nib Newcastle Knights are thrilled to announce a further nine signings to our NRLW squad for the 2021 season.

www.newcastleknights.com.au

 

[mt.wellington]

Strong Matatū Squad named for Opening round​

23 Feb

The Matatū Coaching Staff have named their first squad for the opening round of Super Rugby Aupiki.

The squad features many familiar faces and a few who are expected to make their debut for Matatū in Super Rugby Aupiki.

One such debutant is midfield back, Grace Brooker, who returns to competitive rugby for the first time in over a year after recovering from a knee injury.

“I’m so excited, one of my best mates plays for the Blues and she’s gone through a big knee injury as well, so it’ll be nice to play her and celebrate with her as well.”

The occasion certainly won’t be lost on Brooker, as Matatū are set to play their first ever game in front of home fans in Dunedin on Saturday.
“I honestly can’t express how much it means to be back in this team and back on the field.”

“The lead up has been really good, lots of clarity, lots of new information some pretty cool stuff that I’ve never heard before.”

Matatū will be looking to take learnings from last weekend’s pre-season clash with the Hurricanes Poua in Wellington into their matchup this weekend with the Blues. Speaking on that game, Brooker said, “We were really brave with what we did, we just need to execute now, so everyone is on the same page and I think we’re just going to come out hissing.”

Also in line for a Matatū debut are Australian duo Georgia Cormick and Sera Naiqama, former Warrior and Newcastle Knight Charntay Poko, Leah Miles and Eilis Doyle from Otago, Chey Robins-Reti from the Hurricanes, and Canadian Born, former Blue, Cindy Nelles.

Strong Matatū Squad Named for Opening Round | Matatū Rugby

The Matatū Coaching Staff have named their first squad for the opening round of Super Rugby Aupiki. The squad features many familiar faces and a few who are expected to make their debut for Matatū in Super Rugby Aupiki.

www.matatu.co.nz