Broncos winger Shakiah Tungai was getting ready to watch another NRLW season this year from the couch before she picked up an unexpected phone call from coach Kelvin Wright.
Tungai, who last played for the Dragons in the NRLW in 2020, decided to take a break from the game last year and move to Melbourne to reunite with family.
However, Tungai’s plans to travel around Victoria were interrupted by the COVID-19 pandemic, forcing her to return to Wollongong as both states went into lockdown.
“A lot happened last year, I had a death in the family so that hit pretty hard and I wasn’t up for any footy,” Tungai told NRL.com.
“I took that time off to get myself ready and better. I was pretty lucky to come back this season locally and then got a phone call to come up to Brisbane.
“I had a few of the girls in Brisbane reach out to see if I was back playing and then got a call from Kelvin and it went from there.”
Tungai has been named on the wing by Wright as the Broncos search for their first win of the season against the Titans in Redcliffe on Sunday.
The former Jillaroos winger left the game at her peak and concedes she’s lost a bit of pace in the past 18 months but is confident she can do a job for her new club.
“Physically I feel ok, I can catch up a bit more but I can do that with more training and game time,” Tungai said.
Getting to know Shakiah Tungai
“In the long run I'd like to be fit enough to chase the fullback spot but am happy for now wherever I’m playing, I’m just excited to be back.
“I was saying to one of the girls I want to already stay here at the Broncos forever. They’ve built a deadly culture and I’ve come into a deadly club, it’s awesome.”
Tungai was also thrilled for former Indigenous All Stars teammate Caitlin Moran, who landed a contract at the Knights this season.
Moran is a strong chance of making her NRLW debut this Sunday at McDonald Jones Stadium after being 18th player the past fortnight for the Knights.
“It’s good to see Caitlin Moran back at this level, I’m excited for her and for our community it’s really important to see a lot of Indigenous girls who have a break be able to come back and play."
The Broncos face a stern test against the Titans after losing the first local derby between the two clubs 28-26 earlier this year.
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