The 41-year-old is the mother of Isaiah Papali'i, who plays in the Warriors NRL side, meaning they create history as the first mother and son to represent one club at the same time. 

Lorina has a fine history of rugby league, having represented New Zealand at two World Cups and represented Samoa in two rugby union World Cups. 

She retired in 2010 after a career spanning 16 years and had been targeted as a trainer for the Warriors women's team.

However, the opportunity to play in the inaugural NRL Women's Premiership was too hard to pass up.

"I'm honoured and privileged to be named in the squad," Papali'i told the New Zealand Herald.

"It means a lot to me. I dreamed of it but didn't think it would ever happen.

"It's still quite unreal to me at the moment," she said.