Player Luisa Gago

[mt.wellington]

Luisa Gago

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Luisa Gago, sometimes spelt Louisa, (born 8 November 1993) is a New Zealand rugby league footballer who played for the New Zealand Warriors in the NRL Women's Premiership.

Primarily a lock, she has represented New Zealand and Samoa.

A fullback as a junior, Gago transitioned into the forwards after a number of injuries.

In 2017, while playing for the Manurewa Marlins, she was selected in the New Zealand squad for the 2017 Women's Rugby League World Cup, playing two games.

In August 2018, Gago joined the New Zealand Warriors NRL Women's Premiership team. In Round 1 of the 2018 NRL Women's season, she made her debut in the Warriors' 10–4 win over the Sydney Roosters, scoring a try.

On 22 June 2019, she captained Samoa in their first Test match in eight years, a 8–46 loss to New Zealand at Mt Smart Stadium.

 

[mt.wellington]

Louisa Gago grateful to sister Grace for keeping Kiwi Fern dream alive​

Alan Apted
October 17, 2017 •10:09pm

The Gago sisters, Louisa, left, the Kiwi Fern and Grace, the rugby player who helped her back from a broken ankle.Pauline Gago / Manukau-Courier

Louisa Gago owes her sister Grace for her place in Kiwi Ferns World Cup team.

She says there is no way she'd be in the team and playing in the Rugby League World Cup had her younger sister not been at her side during one of her darker moments.

"I dreamed of becoming a Kiwi Fern, the day I played by first game of rugby league at high school. This is for me," the James Cook High School old girl remembers saying to herself

"It was really exciting to make the Kiwi Ferns' Nines team this year. I'm half way there, I thought. But then I broke my ankle in the first game."

The 23-old second rower, one three new caps among the seven Manurewa Wahine in the Ferns, says it didn't take long for despair and depression came knocking.

"I missed the Nines, I missed the ANZAC Test and I missed the club nationals. At one stage I really didn't I think I was going to make it back in time. They were difficult times."


Luckily for Louisa, there was sister Grace. The 19-year-old has rugby ambitions and now plays for the Counties Manukau Heat.
"Grace knew what I was going through and stuck by me," Louisa says.

"As soon as I could run, she and I trained together daily. We joined the gym together and she accompanied me every morning as I prepared for trials.

"Halfway through the season she decided to give up league to commit to rugby and the Heat. Yet, as committed as she was to her rugby, she never missed any of my games. She'd give me feedback and work-ons after every game."

While thankful to sister Grace, Louisa is also tickled that her dad Fa'au and mum Hana Tiatia have come around to her playing the game she loves.

"They didn't really know how important playing rugby league was to me. They now come to watch me play. I'm so glad because I really wanted the Gagos and extended family to have something to be proud of."

The fullback-turned-second rower says her Wahine teammates and fellow Kiwi Ferns Sarina Fiso and Kelly Maipi inspired her to play the game at the highest level.

Gago says winning a place in the starting XIII is her goal for the World Cup.

Stuff

www.stuff.co.nz

 

[mt.wellington]

Warriors forward Louisa Gago swaps glamour for grit​

By Michael Burgess
14 Sep, 2018 04:06 PM

Louisa Gago of New Zealand. Photo / Getty Images.

Switching from fullback to the forwards is a rarity in league, but it's a feat that Warriors Women's lock Louisa Gago has managed.

In the 1980's versatile players such as Ellery Hanley and Gary Prohm had the ability to move from the backline to the pack, while Lance Hohaia was one of the foremost examples in the modern era, but it's become unusual.

Gago, who will wear the No.13 jersey for the Warriors against the Dragons in the second round of the NRLW on Saturday, was a fullback as she came up through the grades.

But fate – and a series of injuries – led to her swapping the glamour for the grit.

"I was really fast back in high school and I was a fullback," Gago told the Herald. "And then over the years I had a few injuries, so it was hard for me to go back to being a fullback or a centre. When I came back I gained a bit of weight so the coach thought I would be okay if I went back to the forwards."

There was a prolonged period of adjustment, especially as Gago, at 1.59m and 69 kilos, isn't particularly big for a forward.

"It took me a while to learn the role, especially because I am the smallest in the team," said Gago. "It was a bit hard for me, with all the contact and the big forwards all around me."

But the 23-year-old has thrived in the position, representing the Kiwi Ferns in the 2017 Auckland Nines tournament before being selected for last year's League World Cup, where the Ferns progressed to the final.

"To be honest now I thank my coach all the time, for making the call to move [me] to the forwards, " said Gago. "I would never return to the backs again. I love the work rate that we have in the middle, and always knowing that we are going to play a big role in the game."

Gago impressed in the Warriors 10-4 win over the Roosters last Saturday. She had a high defensive work rate, and ran a great line off a Laura Mariu pass for the team's second try.

Gago, who describes herself as a lifelong 'leaguie', is still overwhelmed to be part of the first Warriors squad in the NRLW.

"I've been a massive supporter of the Warriors since I was a kid," said Gago.

"I remember watching the first grand final [in 2002], when I was young. I can't believe I am part of the club, and am so honoured about how the women's game has grown over the past 10 years."

On Saturday Gago will face a familiar foe, with long time Kiwi Fern Honey Hireme at centre for the Dragons.

Hireme has been a legend of the sport, and crossed for 13 tries in four matches at the 2017 World Cup, but has opted for the opportunity across the Tasman.
The 37-year-old is one of five New Zealand-born players turning out for the Sydney club, and Gago can't wait for the clash.

"She was my roomie at World Cup so I am looking forward to seeing her again," said Gago. "But this time it is against each other, which will be a bit different. But it's a good opportunity for her over there."

The Warriors' match kicks off at 7:10pm (NZT).

Warriors forward Louisa Gago swaps glamour for grit

Fate – and a series of injuries – led to Louisa Gago swapping the glamour for the grit.

www.nzherald.co.nz