Recharged Foliaki ready to play leading role for local club

Parramatta recruit Vanessa Foliaki is back in the NRLW and ready to lead as one of the club’s more experienced players after taking a break to mentally recharge at the end of the 2020 season.

The former Jillaroos forward will take on her old club the Roosters on Saturday afternoon in the season opener, a fitting opposition to play after she finished with the Tricolours in her first NRLW stint two years ago.

Foliaki’s 11 NRLW games of experience the equal second most in the new-look Eels squad alongside co-captain Tiana Penitani and winger Rikeya Horne.

Her signing for the Eels is a homecoming of sorts with Foliaki playing her junior rugby league for Canley Vale.

“I needed a break to focus on my life after footy because I was so focused on playing but didn’t have anything to really fall back on,” Foliaki told NRL.com.

“I spent 18 months doing other things. I’ve been working heaps, I got a new job last year and because I wasn’t training as much I socialised and met new people.

“When I was approached by the [North Sydney] Bears to come back I went through some goals and realised I wasn’t done on my terms. I’d always thought I’d come back but also needed some time.

“Being from Parramatta, I had a chat to Maima [Taufa] who got it over the line. She asked if I could bring experience to the club. We’re both western Sydney girls and want to bring some success here.”

Foliaki’s break coincided with the COVID-19 pandemic causing chaos to the women’s schedule, meaning in the end she didn’t miss a whole lot of NRLW action.

She used Sydney’s on and off lockdown period last year to trim down, losing eight kilos with the help of a personal trainer.

“I’ve probably felt the best I have in a long time not playing footy because I wasn’t training for footy but it was just more mental health-wise I wanted to stay fit,” she said.

“I hadn’t had that since I started in 2014 and I’d already played at a high level so hopefully it will hold me in good stead.

“The NRLW has gotten quicker and the quality is a lot better. I’ve been around the block but it’s so different being around girls who are younger and hopefully it’s a role I can take on this season.”

Foliaki has also set herself a long-term goal, to help Tonga build a strong international side ahead of the 2025 World Cup in France.

The Eels have six players eligible for Mate Ma’a Tonga with Foliaki joining Taufa, Penitani, Filomina Hanisi, Seli Mailangi and Cassey Tohi-Hiku in the squad.

“We’ve spoken about what we’d like to do moving forward, if we think about the players we have we can build a strong team,” she said.

“It’s definitely in the back of my mind. We’ve seen what the boys have done and after the girls played in the Test match a few months ago they’ll be even better when the World Cup comes around.”

The opening round of the NRL Telstra Women's Premiership kicks off on Saturday, August 20. Real hits. Real highlights. Unreal action. Secure your seats at NRL.com/tickets