Speechless: Butler details her ‘crazy’ Origin call-up
Sebastian Tan |
Rima Butler concedes she’s a yapper, but after getting a phone call from New South Wales coach John Strange, she was lost for words.
Butler is set to make her State of Origin debut from the bench after Tiana Penitani-Gray’s knee injury forced the Blues to reshuffle.
The 28-year-old’s first appearance comes as the side looks to clinch the three-match series with victory in Brisbane next Thursday night after a gritty 11-6 win in Game 1 in Newcastle.
Having been part of the extended squad for the opener, Butler says she was already relishing the occasion, before she received even bigger news from Strange.
“I’m honestly still pinching myself now. I always get told I’m a bit of a yapper. I love to talk, and when Strange gave me the call-up, I was literally speechless,” Butler said.
“I was about to cry … I was trying to signal to my mum that it’s the call.
“I’m going crazy on the phone, and I’m trying to keep my cool because he’s trying to tell me (that I got the call-up).”
After a couple of days of processing, the Sydney Roosters prop feels ready to make an impact, and is crediting Strange with helping her achieve her goals.
Butler worked under the NSW coach last year because he also mentors the Roosters.
She says tough conversations between the pair helped her make an impression in the NRLW and earn a Jillaroos jersey for last year’s Pacific Championships.
“He (Strange) is pushing me to be the best player I can. I had pretty good form last year, and now I get to see the fruits of my labour paying off,” Butler said.
Veteran Kezie Apps will make her first start of the series next Thursday night in place of Penitani-Gray in the back row.
“I debuted in 2014, and it was called the Interstate Challenge back then – 2016 was the first time we ever beat Queensland, and then the State of Origin started in 2018,” Apps said.
“I’ve been around a little while, and I’ve seen the game grow so much, but Origins always had that same pride and passion.”
AAP