To kick off 2017, we take a look at some of the up-and-coming male and female stars who will hope to represent NSW this year and in the future. Today we look at one of the NSW Women's most consistent performers: Simaima Taufa.
The youngest of our featured female players, Taufa is fast becoming one of the state’s most consistent performers.
At 22 years of age, Taufa is now a key member of a Mounties side that stormed to a Sydney Metropolitan Women’s Rugby League Minor Premiership this year and was the team’s only representative in the Women’s Interstate Challenge. In that game, she was close to the team’s best, scoring NSW’s only try, running a game-high 19 runs for three tackle-breaks and 176 metres. The NSW and Australian lock works hard in attack and defence to break down the opposition early; a method that worked well in finally bringing down Queensland.
A shoulder injury unfortunately ruled Taufa out of the Jillaroos’ three-game series in the Auckland Nines, but she was still able to compete in the Women’s All Stars event and trans-Tasman Test in May. Strong performances in those three games earned her a nomination for the Women’s Dally M award – her second in the two years since the medal’s inception – pitting her as one of the game’s most consistent players. Once again, Taufa will be one to watch in 2017 as she looks to improve even further.
