Naitokatoka brings in Fijian magic

Twenty-year-old rookie Sereana Naitokatoka is one of the 13 possible National Rugby League Women (NRLW) debutantes in the Eels squad for the rescheduled 2021 competition.

Suva-born Naitokatoka had moved to western Sydney with her family as a child and began playing rugby league in her brother’s team aged seven.

Naitokatoka who expected to bring to the side her Fijian magic, is still as star struck as she sounds with her own Eels teammates, many of whom she’s played with or against in the Harvey Norman New South Wales (NSW) Premiership.

The 2020 Harvey Norman NSW Women’s Premiership was the 16th season of the NSW Women’s Premiership, administered by the New South Wales Rugby League.

The competition acts as a second-tier league to the NRL Women’s Premiership teams.

All-star glazing aside, the national Bulikula representative understands the need to step up in her maiden NRLW campaign after impressing for Mounties at the state competition level in previous seasons.

Her likely halves partners at the Eels include NSW halfback Maddie Studdon and another up-and-coming playmaker Emily Curtain.

“For me, it’s all about unity. If Maddie or Emily and I have that good mindset and bond that if nothing is happening on my edge then we’re going to set each other up,” Naitokatoka said.

“The connection has to be flexible there. If we have nothing and are just looking at each other the whole team is going to be lost,” she said.

“Every time I train with them I’ll make sure I’ve got that bond. Having the sisterhood on and off the field is really important too. It’s always the best experience when you have that.”

Fellow Fijian Taina Navidi and close mate Jocephy Daniela have also earned their call-ups for Eels in the rescheduled 2021 competition.

Name: Sereana Naitokatoka Age: 20 NRLW club:

Eels

Position: Fiveeighth/Halfback