Upon hearing she was just days away from running out on home turf for her 10th Ampol Women’s State of Origin appearance, Sarah Togatuki had never thought the milestone would come around as quickly as it has.
Having grown up in Sydney’s west, it’s all the more special to reach double digits - alongside Tiana Penitani and Yasmin Clydsdale - at Allianz Stadium, a venue that brings with it some great memories for the 27-year-old.
Togatuki is one of six players from Strange’s 17 – along with assistant coach Ruan Sims – who played on the very last day of Rugby League at the old venue on 22 September 2018, playing for Sydney Roosters against St George Illawarra Dragons.
She was also among 10 members of Thursday's Game Two team who played in the first NRLW clash at the newly renovated stadium in 2022, and is now set to take the field for its first ever Origin game.
“It’s definitely going to make it even more special for me and my family (playing in Sydney),” Togatuki said.
“Allianz Stadium; I played in it before it got renovated, and I just know the way the field’s looking now I can’t wait to run out there – it’s a dream come true.”
Since beginning her Rugby League journey, wearing the Westpac NSW Blues Women’s jersey and experiencing one of Rugby League’s toughest arenas has always been a goal.
“You dream of State of Origin, you want to be in them (Origin games),” the NSW forward said.
“For me I’m grateful that I got one; let alone now it’s going to be 10 – it’s just unreal.
“I didn’t think I’d get to 10, to be honest, just because we started with just one game and progressed to two and we’re finally here, playing a series.”
And this time there’s a chance to re-claim the Shield after a 32-12 win at Suncorp Stadium in Game One.
“We were reminded you can celebrate a win, but remember the job’s not done,” she said.
“We all sensed that we really want to go after it.
“It’s quite exciting, the group that we’ve got, and I know that we’ve got the right girls and people around us to hopefully get the job done.”
Togatuki’s also well-aware of her own role as an impact player in the forward pack, and she’s relishing the chance to take her game to another level in Origin II.
“You want to be more hungry, you don’t want to settle or be complacent – that’s Game One,” she explained.
“I want to do things that I wasn’t able to do in Game One.
“I’ve got so much of a reason to why I want to go out there and do my job coming off the bench.
“Do whatever it takes, be a good teammate – for me I’m big believer you’re more of a good person than a player first.
“They’re the kind of traits that I try to carry with myself... I’m not going to shy away from my strengths.”
