SHE runs hard and tackles harder, she's always looking for an off-load and her fends are most certainly in the big don't argue category - there is no doubting that Haylee Lepaio is a power player when it comes to women's rugby league.
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It is why the star prop has been named as captain of the Western Rams side which will begin its 2020 Country Championships campaign in Blayney on Sunday against the GSR Tigers.
The former US college basketball star has been a force ever since she first laced up a pair of football boots. She's made big metres and left a whole host of would-be tacklers lying on the turf wondering what just happened.
She firstly shone for St Pat's and has since played for the Panorama Platypi, Group 10, Western and Country Rugby League's Southern sides.
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Yet Lepaio admitted the skipper's job for 2020 was not something she expected.
"I was a little bit surprised, but I guess there are a few girls that have either moved away or gone to Sydney to play," she said.
"It was kinda of a shock, but I guess I am one of the older girls this year."
As Lepaio indicated, it is a different looking Rams line up this season - from the squad which contested last season's championships opener there have been eight changes.
But there is still plenty of talent and experience with the likes of fullback Heidi Regan and hooker Lailee Phillips returning as well as Platypi skipper Zarlia Griffiths who will start at lock.
The other factor Lepaio feels will aid her side as they look to improve on last season's campaign - they lost 30-6 to Monaro in round one before beating the GSR Tigers 26-0 - was that the Western Women's Rugby League competition was staged late last year.
That competition saw the Panorama Platypi, Orange Vipers, Castlereagh, Woodbridge, Mudgee and Wiradjuri Goannas battle over five rounds and a finals series.
"I think having it at the end of last season's winter comp helped, we picked a squad from there to have a camp at the end of December and narrowed it down from there," she said.
"I think people weren't as nervous showing up as compared to if we just had a two-hour trial and you didn't get to showcase all your skills.
"We started in October, had the camp in December and started training in January and had a trial game against Monaro, so it's been a long time coming, but we are glad it's finally here."
With Jess Skinner - who Lepaio describes as a 'pioneer of women's rugby league' - returning as coach, the Bathurst prop is confident her side can get the job done against the Tigers.
She feels the Rams' back line could prove decisive.
"This is only the third year they've had tackle for the Rams girls, but this is the best gelling year we've had so far," she said.
"I think the forwards will be solid, I think our backs and the speed we have there might help make a difference, our spine, our halves, lock and fullback are all very skilled.
"So I think everyone is pretty solid, but the speed of our backs I think could make a difference."
Kick-off at Blayney's King George Oval is at 12.50pm on Sunday.
- WESTERN RAMS: 1 Heidi Regan, 2 Nickolle Kirby, 3 Kiara Sullivan, 4 Demi Chapman, 5 Molly Hoswell, 6 Alicia Earsman, 7 Harriett Messner, 8 Channy Burgess, 9 Lailee Phillips, 10 Haylee Lepiao (C), 11 Kayla Hasson, 12 Tabua Tuinakauvadra, 13 Zalia Griffiths, 14 Sarah Archer, 15 Ebony Watson, 16 Chloe White, 17 Kaitlyn Andrews, 18 Billie-Jane Hoole. Coach: Jessica Skinner.
