Teagan Levi will play in the NRLW this season, with the Australian sevens star joining Gold Coast in a coup for the code.
Teagan, 22, and older sister Maddison were tipped to play in the NRLW this year but in January signed new deals with Rugby Australia through to the end of 2028.
However Teagan has been given the green light to juggle both commitments and will switch to league at the end of the sevens world series, with the final two rounds in Spain in late May and France in early June.
With rugby sevens left out of the Commonwealth Games program, Levi will then have a month to prepare for the Titans’ opening-round clash with the Sydney Roosters.
The former Miami State High School student said she was excited to return home to play with Gold Coast under coach Karyn Murphy.
“I want to test myself and keep growing as a person and a player and this opportunity allows me to step out of my comfort zone, which I can’t wait to do in front of my family and friends in my hometown,” Levi said in a statement.
“Making the switch to league has always been on my mind, but I wanted to make sure I was able to be all-in.
“At the start, it looked like I may not have been able to do that juggling my Rugby Australia commitments, but after sitting down with Murph to discuss all the specific details, I am able to make it work and give my all to playing rugby league.”
Murphy said Levi, whose father Jason played for Manly, would bring valuable experience after her six years winning sevens titles around the world.
“She’s been on the world stage wearing the green and gold in significant tournaments the past few years and her big-game experience and exposure to high performance environments will be valuable for our upcoming campaign,” the coach added.
“She’s extremely eager to learn and already has a great understanding of the game with rugby league in her DNA – following in her father’s footsteps after he played for Manly in the 90s.”
Levi is expected to return to sevens to prepare for the LA Olympics in 2028, with the Australian women looking to make up for a disappointing Paris tournament where they missed the medals.
