It would be in their interests to steer clear of the Dapto Canaries powerhouse but lessons learned in rugby league are often of the tough variety.

The Maroons would do well to heed it in Friday's Under 19s State of Origin clash, though Hawke is hoping they don't.

"My favourite part with her is watching when the other team makes the mistake of kicking off to her side and she gets to come in off the back fence," Hawke, who's also part of Blake Cavallaro's Blues coaching staff, said.

"I think powerhouse is a great word for her, but she's also very deceptive with her speed and endurance. Being in the front row, and one of our biggest hitters, she actually played full games for us so she was playing massive, massive minutes and still having a huge impact.

"She's one to watch for a line break but, as things step up, it's a bit harder to break the line every carry but she's also great off the ball with that fitness as a front-rower which makes a massive difference at this level.

"I can't wait to watch her and Fehi (St George prop Fatafehi Hanisi) together because they're very similar in being that new-age front-rower. They're big and they can hit, but they're fast and agile too."

Tau is one of a five-strong Steelers contingent in the NSW squad looking to retain the trophy last claimed in 2019 in the curtain-raiser to Friday night's Women's State of Origin clash on the Sunshine Coast.

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Corrimal's Chantel Tugaga is part of the same formidable engine room, while noted flyer Teagan Berry will be patrolling the right flank.

"Channy's had a battle the last couple of years with some niggling injuries, nothing serious but enough to interrupt her," Hawke said.

"There's been times where she could've put it in the too hard basket but she went from strength to strength at the back end of the Tarsha Gale season and got herself to the nationals [with Country].

"I think she grabbed attention with her hits in defence there. She hits a line really well and she's tough to handle with the footy."

Fellow Steelers Jordyn Preston and Keele Brown are also part of the extended 19-strong squad having come through the Dragons Academy. The quartet will all be looking to follow fellow program graduates Jamie Chapman and Berry into the NRLW in the next couple of years.

"All bar one of them (Berry) started with us in the Lisa Fiaola Cup (under 16s) and have been with us three or four years," Hawke said.

"Jordyn's still a year young for under 19s and I only pushed her into the back row from the centres part-way through the Tarsha Gale this season.

"She's only played six games there and was called in a year young but she's fearless. She runs and hits like she's a lot bigger than she is and Keele's just the type of girl anyone wants to coach.

"If there's not a couple of names popping [in the NRLW] this year, it'll be next year. It's pretty impressive to see five of our Illawarra girls in this squad."

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