Player Tanika-Jazz Noble-Bell

[mt.wellington]

Tanika-Jazz Noble-Bell

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Tanika-Jazz Noble-Bell (born 20 February 1996) is a New Zealand rugby league footballer who played for the New Zealand Warriors in the NRL Women's Premiership.

Born in Auckland, Noble-Bell played basketball until she was 17 before switching to rugby league.

In 2018, while playing for the Manurewa Marlins, Noble-Bell was named in the New Zealand train-on squad.

On 1 August 2018, she was announced as a member of the New Zealand Warriors NRL Women's Premiership team. In Round 1 of the 2018 NRL Women's season, she made her debut for the Warriors in a 10–4 win over the Sydney Roosters.

On 22 February 2020, she represented the Māori All Stars in their 4–10 loss to the Indigenous All Stars.

In 2024, she played for the Manly-Warringah Sea Eagles during their inaugural year in the NRLW competition.

 

[mt.wellington]

Basketball skills take TJ's rugby league career to new heights​

Alicia Newton
Fri 6 Sep 2019, 04:50 pm

Tanika-Jazz Noble-Bell was a gentle giant destined for a career in basketball before those around her finally caught up to her booming height as a talented teenager.

The 23-year-old stands at 173 centimetres and while she's not the tallest forward in the Warriors engine room these days, her days with a basketball have helped her when it comes to rugby league.

"I was a point guard or guard early on and I started getting shorter as I got older because everyone else shot up," Noble-Bell told NRL.com.

"I went OK, made a few representative sides up until I was about 17. I didn't start playing rugby league until four years ago.

"Growing up with basketball helped me learn about awareness and just looking for space. I'm not one to run directly at people but focus on the gaps and busting through the line in between the opponents."

It's safe to say the Warriors forward isn't shy to express her thoughts after last year's inaugural NRLW campaign.

She watched on while playing for the Warriors as some of her Kiwi Ferns teammates were often glorified during the season as they turned out for Australian-based clubs.

The likes of Honey Hireme, who joined the Warriors this year, Teuila Fotu-Moala, Maitua Feterika, Kimiora Nati and Ngatokotoru Arakua left New Zealand to play for NRLW clubs in Australia.

"I feel like it's harder for us to make our name because we're not in Australia," Noble-Bell said.

"They're superstars over there but they're just normal players, like everyone else. They have more exposure because they're playing in Australia. They did one thing amazing and they're set to go.

"If someone does that this year they're probably set as well."

The Warriors will need to feed off Noble-Bell's pre-season attitude with many already writing off the side's hopes of a maiden NRLW premiership.
Warriors coach Luisa Avaiki will rely on several fresh faces to fill the void left by 11 players from last year's squad who were unsigned.

"I was looking at the photo last week and there's not many people left," Noble-Bell said.

"We need to be fitter, it was like a last-minute pull the team together experience last year. We've got a conditioner now and she's given us programs to work off. We're a lot better prepared than we were this time 12 months ago.

"And I feel like the team is more experienced, there are a lot more older people. It goes from 22 to 35 quick and that can only help us when the game is on the line."

Basketball skills take TJ's rugby league career to new heights

Tanika Jazz Noble-Bell was a gentle giant destined for a career in basketball before those around her finally caught up to her booming height as a talented teenager.

www.nrl.com

 

[mt.wellington]

Getting to know: Tanika-Jazz Noble-Bell​

Wayne Cousins
Tue 6 Aug 2024, 08:55 am


Hard working front-rower Tanika-Jazz Noble-Bell is one of the leaders of the Manly pack in our first season in the Harvey Norman NSW Women’s Premiership.

We caught up with Tanika-Jazz to learn more about her.

Player Profile​

Name: Tanika-Jazz Noble-Bell
DOB: 20/2/1996
Birthplace: Auckland, New Zealand
Position: Prop
Nickname: TJ

What's your favorite rugby league memory growing up?
I was around rugby league growing up but I didn’t enjoy it until I started playing myself after high school. Would have to be the friendships made through the game.

Who are your favourite rugby league players in NRL or NRLW?
NRL: Latrell Mitchell, Spencer Leniu; NRLW: Georgia Hale, Mele Hufanga, Anessa Biddle, Toru Arakua

What does it mean to you to be part of the first Manly Harvey Norman’s Women’s team?
I'm always excited to be part of a new legacy and helping build a club from the ground up. I'm grateful for the opportunity Manly has given me.

Funniest team-mate?
Mia, Piki, or any of the NZ girls

What are your goals this season?
- To go back to NZ a better player than when I left in March; to be better (finding that next gear); hitting my fitness goals; and to enjoy my footy

Tell us about your family and any special achievements?
I love my family and I do miss them as they are all in NZ. My achievement so far is making this Manly team, but there is room for more.

Who is your hero?
It used to be Michael Jordan when I played basketball growing up. It was my older brother at one time. But now, it's my parents.

What's your favorite movie and why?
I can’t say I have one movie that is my favourite. I love Marvel, the Fast & Furious saga, Adam Sandler movies, Hallmarks

What do you enjoy doing in your free time?
Being with my partner, relaxing, movies, family time

Are you a morning person or a night owl?
Honestly, could be either or, depends on how I’m feeling

Coach Keith Hanley says:
“Tanika-Jazz has played Test football for New Zealand. She played NRLW for the NZ Warriors in 2018 before COVID came around. She has represented the Maori All Stars team. ‘TJ’ has been around a high level of rugby league for a number of years. A really, hard working person with good characteristics and the sort of team-mate you want to have in your side.”

Getting to know: Tanika-Jazz Noble-Bell

Hard working front-rower Tanika-Jazz Noble-Bell is one of the leaders of the Manly pack in our first season in the Harvey Norman NSW Women’s Premiership.

www.seaeagles.com.au