Gold Coast lock Sienna Lofipo wants to send her idol home a loser as she admits to the derby "hate" set to explode against Brisbane.
The 21-year-old is one of the brightest young talents in the game after coming through the ranks at Wynnum Manly Seagulls and playing with Broncos star Julia Robinson in the state league.
Robinson, although a winger, will be a foe when the two sides clash in the NRLW preliminary final on Sunday at Robina.
"I didn't start watching footy until I was 12, and after that my favourite player was Julia Robinson from the Broncos," Lofipo told AAP.
"I just loved how strong she was and fit and fast. She has always been a super-hard worker, and then I got the chance to play with her at Wynnum in the BMD Premiership.
"It was exciting to be playing alongside my role model at the time, and she still is. She is amazing."
When told of Lofipo's admiration, Robinson was quick to respond with her own high regard for her Queensland teammate.
"I love Sienna. I played with her at the Seagulls and she was a great young kid coming through," she told AAP.
"She says she idolises me, but I idolise her too. To see what she has put herself through to get where she is today is a real inspiration."
Titans players don't like the "little sister" tag when it comes to their more decorated derby rivals, who have won four titles and are the defending premiers.
The Titans beat the Broncos 28-20 in round eight, and there will be no love lost again on Sunday.
"There has always been this little rivalry between the two and it is always good versing them because we hate each other so much," Lofipo said.
"I think it stems from the men's game and it has carried on into the women's game.
"I think it is pretty cool to take that tradition into our match."
Lofipo, also a Samoa and Maroons representative, was a member of the Titans side that lost the 2023 grand final in a thriller against Newcastle.
"It still hurts losing that one, but we are super keen and we definitely have the depth in our squad to do it this year," she said.
"If it is going to be any year it is this year. We are all hungry for it."
Lofipo combines power, speed and skill in her lock forward position. She is the full package ahead of her biggest club game of the year.
"It has taken a good few years of building and learning my craft to the point where I feel strong and confident. It is going to be a good battle," Lofipo said.
Australian Associated Press
