This week’s SAS College Rugby League alumni catch up is with McAuley High School grad turned women’s league star Annetta Nu’uausala.

Casual games of rugby league at family gatherings become a little easier when you can construct an entire team made up of just your siblings.

It comes as little surprise then that 12 of the 13 kids in Auckland’s Nu’uausala clan went on to play the game, with Annetta – the youngest in the family – admitting it was second nature to pick up a league ball. 

Just five years after starting to play the game competitively in the SAS College Rugby League competition with McAuley High School, Annetta broke through to make her Kiwi Ferns debut, becoming the family’s second New Zealand Test player after her brother Frank-Paul. 

“I was 16 at the time I started playing and had been watching my siblings play every week enjoying themselves. It made me want to be a part of it all,” Annetta said. 

“Four of my sisters were playing at Ellerslie and one was at Papakura. Games were held on Sundays and seeing them play was such a huge motivation for me. 

“I also had my brothers Lay-Wu, representing Mangere East, and Frank, playing for the Sydney Roosters in the NRL.”

After making a rapid transition into the Auckland senior women’s competition and national team, Annetta looks back at her college days as a great way to prepare her for what awaited at the highest levels. 

“I believe it prepared me well for women’s rugby league,” she said. 

“In school you create lifelong friendships playing with your friends, I think the pathway in the girls’ college rugby league is vital.

“I also believe growing up with my brothers made me a harder person. I saw my brothers as powerful and strong men and thought if I could take hits from them, I could handle hits from anyone.”

Now 25, Annetta has been capped six times by the Kiwi Ferns and in 2019 was an inaugural member of the New Zealand Warriors’ NRLW team. 

At club level she’s established herself as one of the premier forwards in the Farrelly Photos Women’s Premiership, helping Richmond to Grand Final appearances in each of the last three seasons. 

Off the field Annetta said she has been inspired by her brother John, who she singles out as her biggest influence during her time playing college league for McAuley.

“John watched me all through my college footy until one day he had an accident. He was playing at the park with my brothers and he slipped and fell on his back,” Annetta said. 

“He was fine until a few days later he went to the hospital and needed surgery, as he only had feeling in one leg. After the surgery he lost feeling in both and his whole life changed and so did ours. 

“He is now in a wheelchair fighting to be better every day, I always say if he can still find the time to train and push through any barriers, then what’s my excuse?” 

Article added: Wednesday 23 September 2020