A fixture of the NSW Blues for six years Sarah Togatuki freely admits being “disappointed and gutted” missing selection in 2026 but in the same breath she thanks Origin coach John Strange for the lessons learned from the knockback.
“I hadn’t dealt with rejection like that from a squad before,” Togatuki told NRL.com as she prepared for her fourth season with the Wests Tigers in NRLW after four with the Sydney Roosters including the 2021 premiership.
“I’ve had a really good run since I debuted (NSW in 2020) so I guess I was a little complacent.”
The 28-year-old former Karyn Murphy medallist and Dally M Prop of the year played 11 Origins for the Blues and was part of Strange’s 30-member train-on squad for the interstate series.
Sarah Togatuki Try
The coach ultimately opted for Millie Elliott, Ellie Johnston, Kennedy Cherrington and Rima Butler as his middle forwards for the side's historic clean sweep. While disappointed to miss selection, Togatuki is taking the positives from the experience.
“Me not making the team this year … I needed it. I needed something to put that fire in my belly again,” she said.
“I’m so grateful to Strangey for the feedback. What made it easier for me was knowing the group of girls I was coming back to here at the Wests Tigers.
“So I tapped into all the sessions and the optional sessions in the pre-season. They all made me feel that purpose again.
“And yes, it would have been great to be in that Origin side but there’s another goal now – the NRLW season.”
Match: Eels v Wests Tigers
Round 1 -
home Team
Eels
away Team
Wests Tigers
Venue: CommBank Stadium, Sydney
Match broadcasters:
- WatchNRL
It’s a goal being approached on many fronts by the Wests Tigers – a new coach in Craig Sandercock, 14 new players added to the squad, which brings one of the biggest changes – experience.
The Tigers open their season against the Eels on Sunday afternoon and Togatuki is confident the new-look side will make a statement at CommBank Stadium.
NRLW players to watch: Caitlin Turnbull
“Myself and Kezie (Apps) have been here a long time but we just needed that input of more experience,” she said referring to the recruitment of representative players Raecene McGregor (Dragons), Holli Wheeler (Bulldogs) and Shaylee Bent (Titans).
“We feel like a really united group and that’s something we’ve been searching for as a club.
“We also weren’t a 70-minute side so we’ve taken a hard look at ourselves this pre-season,” Togatuki said.
“I didn’t realise how we were thought of. We have girls here now from different clubs and we asked them in camp what they thought of the Wests Tigers when they played us.
“Those girls said ‘easy’ and I was thinking ‘Wow’. That was hard to hear but also good to know because it’s fired me up to want to turn that around.
“We want to be that side everyone is scared to play.”
No one likes tackling Togatuki or having her run at them as it is, let alone an extra-motivated Togatuki.
She has further football commitments to think about as well – whether to put her hand up for the Frank Pritchard-coached Samoan side for the World Cup.
Togatuki played a Test for Samoa in 2019 before five Tests for Australia (2024-25) although she missed selection for the 2022 World Cup.
Instant impact from Togatuki
“I haven’t really sat down with myself or my family and thought about it,” she said.
“I’ve had to deal with not being in Origin and my mindset has just been on the NRLW and Wests Tigers.
“Having said all that obviously I missed my chance to play in the last World Cup for Australia, which was one of my goals.
“I’ll just take things as they come … I’ve got other responsibilities off the field now, so I’m not really sure. I’ll keep my options open for now.”
