Wah nation quick to adopt Hufanga as one of their own

From Cbus Super Stadium on the Gold Coast to Wagga Wagga's Geohex Park, Warriors fans were at their boisterous best across a massive weekend of footy.

For 2025 Karyn Murphy Medal winner Mele Hufanga, the support was heartwarming as she stepped out in Warriors colours for the first time at NRLW Magic Round.

In her first game since last October’s grand final when she helped steer the Broncos to premiership glory, Hufanga clocked up 129 metres and busted six tackles in the 18-16 loss to Murphy's Titans.

“I guess the hype and build-up has been amazing,” Hufanga told NRL.com.  

“Obviously it’s not New Zealand but it’s been before a very appreciative crowd, which shows how much women’s rugby league is growing. 

“It’s not the result we wanted but I’m so glad to be back running out there with the sisters.”

After missing the first four rounds with a hamstring tear, the Kiwi Ferns international revelled in the support of the Wahs faithful.

“When we rocked up to play, getting off the bus, I saw a lot of Warriors jerseys and heard, ‘Up the Wahs; Up the Wahs’, which brought a lot of joy... very cool actually," she said.

Although she didn’t envisage the first game for the Warriors after three seasons in Brisbane would be in rural NSW, Hufanga is simply glad to be back playing although she forgot how match fitness can slip away during rehab. 

“One hundred per cent! After the first 10 minutes I was thinking ‘holy moly’ but I just kept looking to my sisters on my left and right and that kept me going," she said.

"I did not want to let them down.”  

The frustration with her first hamstring strain taught her a valuable lesson – patience. 

“I’ve never had this injury before and this is the longest injury I’ve had so it was pretty tough,” she said. 

“I just kept telling myself, ‘hang in there and it will come good’.  

"Then I kept thinking about a new club, new colours and how that would affect things.  

“But I had Gayle (Broughton) next to me and all those times at the Broncos we had together kept flooding back. 

“It’s pretty cool and something special always happens if I keep close to her. 

“For me I just want to keep bettering my performance each week, ticking the boxes. People ask if I can be as well as I did at the Broncos and I know I can.”