Kathleen Wharton (née Keremete; 26 August 1983 – 21 November 2024) was a New Zealand rugby league footballer who played as second-row for the New Zealand Warriors in the NRL Women's Premiership.
Personal information | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| Born | 26 August 1983 Auckland, New Zealand | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Died | 21 November 2024 (aged 41) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Playing information | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Height | 171 cm (5 ft 7 in) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Weight | 77 kg (12 st 2 lb) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Position | Second-row, Lock | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Source: RLP As of 29 November 2020 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
A New Zealand international, she represented her country at the 2008 and 2013 Women's Rugby League World Cups.
Playing career
editIn 2008, Wharton was a member of New Zealand's 2008 Women's Rugby League World Cup-winning squad.[1] In 2013, she started at second-row in New Zealand's 2013 Women's Rugby League World Cup final loss to Australia.[2]
Following the World Cup, Wharton retired to focus on her career and raise her family.[3]
In 2019, Wharton returned to rugby league, representing the Māori All Stars in their 8–4 win over the Indigenous All Stars.[4] On 22 June 2019, she represented New Zealand for the first time in six years, scoring a try in their 46–8 win over Samoa in Auckland.[5]
On 10 July 2019, she signed with the New Zealand Warriors NRL Women's Premiership team.[6] In Round 1 of the 2019 NRL Women's season, she made her debut for the Warriors in a 16–12 win over the Sydney Roosters.[7]
On 22 February 2020, she started at second-row for the Maori All Stars in their 4–10 loss to the Indigenous All Stars.[8]
Death
editWharton died on 21 November 2024, at the age of 41.[9]
References
edit- ^ "Kathleen Wharton". NZRL.
- ^ "End of era for Kiwi Ferns". NZ Warriors. 15 July 2013.
- ^ "Kathleen Wharton's return from retirement boosts Warriors". Stuff.co.nz. 5 August 2019.
- ^ "Quartet named in Maori Ferns All-Stars team". NZ Warriors. 18 June 2019.
- ^ "Wharton's long road back to top". NZ Warriors. 5 August 2019.
- ^ "Hireme's signing huge coup". NZ Warriors. 10 July 2019.
- ^ "First NRLW side of season named". NZ Warriors. 10 September 2019.
- ^ "TEAMS: 2020 Harvey Norman NRL All Stars". League Unlimited. 18 February 2020.
- ^ "'Shocked and saddened': Warrior and Kiwi Fern dead at 41". NZ Herald. 21 November 2024. Retrieved 22 November 2024.