LeagueNews.co | Robbie Hamilton
Simaima Taufa, the forward for the Westpac NSW Blues Women's team, has reached a significant milestone by playing her 10th representative match.
Taufa, who first donned the NSW jersey in 2014 during what was known as the Interstate Challenge, has experienced a long journey filled with injuries, including shoulder surgery, which sidelined her for the entire 2024 season and limited her participation in 2023 to just one game.
Despite these challenges, Taufa has persevered, achieving a total of 10 appearances-comprising four Interstate Challenge matches and six State of Origin games-through her dedication as the captain of the Canberra Raiders.
She is set to play her 11th match in the front row for the Blues at Suncorp Stadium on Thursday night.
Reflecting on her journey, Taufa noted the historical dominance of Queensland, stating that the Maroons won 16 consecutive matches from 1999 to 2014, leading up to a draw in 2015 and NSW's first victory in 2016, which initiated a four-match winning streak for her team.
Taufa's passion for the game remains strong, and she shows no signs of wanting to stop playing anytime soon.