World Cup Glory Beckons for Golden Boot McGregor

At the beginning of the year, Raecene McGregor was without an NRLW contract. Now she's looking to cap off arguably one of the finest individual seasons in the game's history with a World Cup.

Heading into the 2021 season, the Premiership-winning halfback was on the comeback from injury and without a team to play for, however, it wasn't long before the Roosters snapped up her services with a vacancy in their squad. 

Improving with each game and taking ownership of the no.7 jersey, McGregor helped steer the Tricolours to the Grand Final on a phenomenal run, and come April 10, they were hoisting the Premiership trophy for the first time in Club history.

Her incredible form throughout the 2022 season saw the Kiwi dynamo bestowed with the Dally M Player of the Year Medal, before being voted by her peers as the RLPA's Players' Champion.  

And after spearheading New Zealand to a World Cup Final, she stands tall as the globe's best after being crowned the Golden Boot Award - not to mention alongside fellow Rooster and countryman Joseph Manu - capping off a whirlwind year. 

“It's pretty crazy,” McGregor reflected. 

"I haven’t really processed it yet, it’s pretty overwhelming. It’s exciting and I’m just grateful to accept that award. 

“I was thinking about it last night when someone asked me in an interview and it didn’t really hit me until then.

“It’s been a wild year and I’m just grateful for the Roosters. They picked me up last minute and gave me that chance to show what I can do. 

“It’s pretty cool to share the moment with Joey. He’s a really nice guy and he deserves it. He’s had a really good tournament all year.

“To see what he’s done of the Kiwis, he was really unfortunate in that last game not to get the win but he’s such a great player and to receive it alongside him was awesome. 

Alongside McGregor in the black and white of New Zealand have been Roosters young guns Mya Hill-Moana and Otesa Pule, both of whom have made a profound impact in the Kiwi Ferns' outfit. 

According to their halfback, the pair have been monumental throughout the campaign so far, displaying maturity far beyond their years. 

“They’re great players,” said McGregor. 

“They’ve definitely stepped up a notch. It’s different when you play for your country and you put on that jersey. Those girls are quite mature and they’ve stepped up and I’m really proud of them.

“We’ve got a really good bunch of girls and we’ve had a few tough games but with each one, we’ve been progressing and getting better.

“You’re not just playing for us, you’re playing for your family and friends as well and we take a lot of pride in that." 

It’s been a wild year and I’m just grateful for the Roosters. They picked me up last minute and gave me that chance to show what I can do. 

Raecene McGregor Rooster #52

While the individual trophy cabinet is brimming with awards and achievements, the diminutive halfback still has her eyes on one more prize - the World Cup trophy.

After being pipped by the Australian Jillaroos in a tense encounter earlier in the tournament, McGregor believes her Kiwi Ferns are ready to reclaim the trophy against a side filled with a host of her Roosters teammates. 

“Everyone has been really chill and pretty calm at the moment,” she said.

"We’ve still got a few days before we really turn our attention to Saturday. We’re letting the bodies rest today and get back into it tomorrow. 

“We’re playing at a really historic field and everyone’s excited. Despite our loss when we played them, it was a really big confidence boost for us.

“Leading into the game we’re confident but we know what the Jillaroos can do. They’re the best in the world and we want to knock them off.

“We’ve been building to this Final and when we get out there on Saturday we won’t leave anything in the tank and let it all out there.

“There’s been lots of ups and downs but I’m looking to finish it off on a high note.”