Suluvale smashes rivals at the Shield
ELIANNA Suluvale will let absolutely nothing hold her back from chasing a start in a state or national rugby league club.
It is why she has been so appreciative for the feedback since captaining Cairns in the Foley Shield.
“Someone said ‘You run like a 20year-old’ and I was so appreciative of that,” said Suluvale, 35, who has a goal of cracking the North Queensland Gold Stars squad.
“I definitely want to try to get into the Gold Stars and possibly the NRLW.”
A long-term rugby union player, Suluvale scored an absolute barnstormer of a try against Mackay when she bumped through the defensive line, fended off several would-be tacklers and left a trail of destruction in her wake.
It was the type of run that should have scouts turning their heads. And her reaction to that highlight says more about her than anything.
“When I watched it back all I could think was ‘is she okay’,” Suluvale said of one of those would-be defenders left on the Jack Manski Oval turf.
Suluvale was among the outstanding performers for Cairns in the Foley Shield, and while the team returned from Townsivlle with an 0-2 record, the experience has done anything but dull the mood of those players involved.
Cairns fell just two points shy of Townsville in their first game on Friday, then were forced to play most of Saturday’s clash with Mackay without any substitutions after two serious injuries.
“It was tough against Townsville. We had a lot of nerves and dealing with that travel was pretty difficult,” Suluvale said.
“I think with a bit more game time
together we would’ve smashed them. We gave it our all.
“Mackay was a bit different. We were pretty tired from the previous game then had two ladies who were injured and had to go to hospital.
“The ladies played their hearts out, and I was most proud by that.
“They just left everything there. Every person stood up and battled through, they did what we had to do to keep going.
“It was a very good experience. I was shocked to be named captain.”
For Suluvale, the weekend was an experience she won’t forget, and it has only made her more hungry for higher honours.
An Australian Oceania Championship sprinter in her younger days, Suluvale slots into lock for Cairns and her club Edmonton, who will kick off the CDRL season later this month.
Before then, the dual-code gun will suit up for the FNQ Rugby rep team when they face Townsville in the North Queensland Championships at Barlow Park this weekend.