The former Parramatta Eels forward Amelia Huakau (Née Mafi) has signed with the Wests Tigers for a two-year
contract.
Ahead of Wests Tigers’ second season in the Telstra Women’s Premiership, the recently married 28-year-old is
thrilled to be joining the team.
Huakau debuted in the NRLW with the Roosters in 2020. The previous season, she started all nine games for the
Eels.
In 2022, she made her debut on the international scene. At the Pacific Championships last year, she represented
Tonga once more.
Huakau started playing rugby league when she was 20 years old in South Auckland. In 2018, she moved to Sydney
and joined the Wentworthville Magpies in the Harvey Norman Women’s Premiership.
She remarked, “To be honest, I’m just speechless—this place is just amazing,” following her tour of the Wests Tigers
Zurich Centre.
Everyone has been quite friendly, and I know a number of the girls from my time with the Roosters, like Sarah
[Togatuki] and Bo [Vette-Welsh].
Amelia claims that she was also drawn in by West’s Tigers’ style of play.
“I love the front-foot attacking style that last year’s team had, and I’m excited to work with some of the best forwards
in the women’s game and improve my game under Brett Kimmorley.”
Huakau, in head coach Kimmorley’s opinion, will strengthen an already potent pack the following season.
Kimmorley stated, “She was very good in what was a difficult campaign at her former club last season.”
“We are delighted to have Amelia and her family join Wests Tigers.”
Wests Tigers NRLW team for 2024:
Amelia Huakau, Brooke Talataina, Christian Pio, Botille Vette-Welsh, Claudia Nielsen, Ebony Prior, Eliza Siilata,
Emily Curtain, Harmony Crichton, Imogen Gobran, Jessica Kennedy, Kezie Apps, Leianne Tufuga, Losana Lutu,
Najvada George, Natasha Penitani, Pauline Piliae-Rasabale, Rikeya Horne, Salma Nour, Sophie Curtain, Tess
Staines, Tiana Lee-Thorne
