The sacrifices of the Warrior women
As soon as the Warriors’ NRLW season-opener was confirmed for Melbourne, forward Tasia Seumanufagai had added incentive to make the side.
Not only would it have meant a premiership debut against the Roosters today, but after two months living away from home the Samoan international would finally get to see her three-year-old son.
Competition for places is high, though, and it’s for that reason that informing Seumanufagai – who was initially named on an extended bench – did not make the final cut was coach Luisa Avaiki’s toughest decision of the week.
But in a touching gesture from Seumanufagai’s team-mates and staff members at the Warriors, they chipped in to cover her airfare and ensure she was reunited with her family.
‘‘She hasn’t seen her son and partner for the whole time she’s been here and we knew how hard she’s been working to make the team,’’ Avaiki said.
‘‘It was something that Georgia [captain Georgia Hale] and I spoke about after one of our training sessions. [Hale] reached out to the playing group and staff and they were very keen to support and chip in and I booked her flight yesterday. It was really important for her.’’
One of the few squad members not based in New Zealand, Seumanufagai was originally from Wellington but has been living in Melbourne since 2012.
The 29-year-old was signed by the Warriors after starring for the Combined Affiliated States at the Australian nationals this year before being selected in the Fetu Samoa squad to face the Kiwi Ferns in June.
A call from Avaiki was the last thing she expected but with the support of her partner and sister, Seumanufagai’s been able to pursue her rugby league dream in Auckland, staying at the Warriors’ Autex House with team-mate Charntay Poko.
Yet as any parent would attest, being away from her son for so long has taken its toll.
‘‘I call them every day, most days twice a day. He’s had enough of the phone calls,’’ Seumanufagai said. ‘‘He wants to see me in real life and get some cuddles.
‘‘The struggle is real, it is hard.
Tasia Seumanufagai, left, on her 3-year-old son