Steel’s super sub opts for sporting stage
June 5, 2026
Steel super sub Jessie Laga'aia is etching out a starring role of her own, albeit on a different stage.
She’s bucked the family trend to chase her sporting dreams instead of pursuing the creative world of performing arts like her father Jay, a renowned actor and singer, and several of her siblings, including younger sister Catherine, who is forging a name for herself in Hollywood as the lead in Disney’s upcoming live-action Moana movie.
One of eight children in the talented Laga’aia whanau, the New Zealand-born midcourter has been racking up a raft of accolades in the highly-competitive Australian netball scene.
Jessie, 26, has now added the Ascot Park Hotel Southern Steel to her flourishing list of accomplishments, recruited as a last-minute replacement for captain Kimiora Poi and midcourter Ashleigh Poi, who were both ruled out of last Sunday’s game with injury.
It was a baptism of fire in every sense but, despite being thrust into the pivotal centre role a mere 48 hours after meeting her new team, Laga’aia executed it with aplomb.
“It was really unexpected, but I am super stoked and having such a great time,” she said.
“This is probably one of the nicest teams I’ve been in. New Zealanders are so hospitable and so kind. It has been a really easy adjustment for me.”
Laga’aia admits she was probably a surprise for fans when handed the starting bib.
“I was thinking ‘all these people are seeing me run on and they have no idea who I am’,” she quipped.
“It’s funny because that’s exactly the same way I debuted with the Firebirds (in Suncorp Super Netball). We had three midcourt out from the squad so I got brought in and ended up starting. Now I’ve come over here and done the same thing – both full games starting at centre – so it was nice I’d already had the experience but it was a little bit stressful.
“We had 90 minutes to run through every structure the Steel had and I think that was evident in the first quarter as I took a little bit to find my feet. The girls were really good at keeping me in the game and supporting me through that so we could come back in the second quarter.”
The kiwi style of netball was a steep learning curve.
“The quality of players here is just as strong as in Australia, it’s the structures that are so different which I’m still getting my head around. The intensity is still there – it’s just the way New Zealanders use their body is a lot different to what we get in Australia. And the tactics to attack against that kind of defence is completely different as well so it has been an adjustment,” Laga’aia said.
“For me it’s an opportunity to learn a new style of play and understand the New Zealand system a bit more. I didn’t actually realise how different this style was until I’ve come over and been immersed in it. It’s such a cool way to play and it’s so efficient – there’s definitely things I will be bringing back to Australia with me.
“My main goal over here was to help Steel because Firebirds are out of finals so I just wanted to continue to progress my game, learn new skills, meet new people and put myself out there in a new environment. But the overall priority was to get the girls through to that top three spot.”
Netball’s elite domestic leagues had seen the game evolve globally as players from around the world travelled to hone their skills and advance their respective careers.
Several Silver Ferns switching to the SSN has been a topic of hot debate on this side of the Tasman. However, Laga’aia was an advocate.
“SSN has always been international and it’s always been the best of the best that’s playing there so it’s only right that the New Zealand girls get the opportunity to come over and experience that as well,” she said.
“I don’t think it’s a pathway blocked if you are the right fit for that team. I’ve seen Maddy Gordon come in and we play the same position, and I absolutely adore her. I think she’s an incredible athlete so it wasn’t me looking at it like ‘oh, she’s taken a spot that might have been mine’ it was ‘this is what’s best for this team’.
“If everybody else can come over and do it, I think the New Zealanders have every right to come over and do it too.”
It’s a team-first approach which stems from her upbringing with seven siblings.
“A lot of people ask if we were competitive with each other and that was almost never the case. Sometimes when you have so many actors in one space all auditioning for the same roles, sometimes one gets it and two miss out, but that was never an issue for any of us,” Laga’aia said.
“That supportive environment, that team environment, that I grew up in, I think I was always going to end up in a team sport because I love that comradery, I love getting around each other, I love that support system. It has meant that every though I’m away from home and away from family, I still have that family dynamic and that support system wherever I go.”
She was incredibly proud of her family’s creative pursuits.
“When mum put me into piano lessons apparently I cried all the way through them so I knew from a young age that it probably wasn’t my pathway. I’m very competitive so I think I also realised very early that everyone else is really good at it and I wasn’t as good, so I was like ‘what else can I do instead?’
“I hated piano lessons and I loved doing tennis so for me the sporting path was pretty clear.”
The Laga’aia clan will unite in Los Angeles on July 10 for the world premiere of Moana, which also stars Hollywood icon Dwayne ‘The Rock’ Johnson.
“We are all heading over to support Catherine. I can’t even stress how proud I am. I am proud of them all, but this is like a step up even for the family. Dad has done some incredible things, but a live action Disney film is insane,” Laga’aia said.
“I spent a lot of time on set with her so to be able to see the full product and see her shine, and for everyone to see her talent, is very exciting.”
Fuelled by her athletic prowess, Laga’aia will continue writing her own script.
“My ultimate goal is to get a full contract somewhere and that’s a priority for me next year to find my spot in a team,” she said.
“I’m still looking to pursue international netball and, if I had the choice, it would be with New Zealand so that is something that I am also working towards.”
In the meantime, there’s a clash against the Stars looming in Auckland this Sunday as the Steel chases a home final – something Laga’aia quickly realised the importance of when she experienced Steel’s fanatical fans.
“They were unreal. They are actually very similar to the crowd at Firebirds where they are really loud, really in the game. Every call that went the wrong way, you could hear them which was so nice. It was like having an extra player on the court,” she said.
“I can see now why it’s called a fortress and it’s such an asset to have for a final so that’s the ultimate goal now.”
