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This Sunday, Sarah Togatuki and Holli Wheeler will each celebrate their 50th NRLW appearance when Wests Tigers host the Sydney Roosters at Leichhardt Oval.
We caught up with the pair to hear what they admire most about one another and reflect on the journey to 50 games.
Q: Do you remember the first time you came across each other?
Holli: I remember Sala was playing in pink jerseys for the Glenmore Park Brumbies. I was like, ‘Who the hell is that? It was Harvey Norman (NSW Women’s Premiership) in 2016. I was playing for a Newcastle team. I remember being like, oh my God, she's a force to be reckoned with.
Q: Two years later, you played against each other in the inaugural NRLW season before representing the Prime Minister's XIII together against PNG in Port Moresby. What do you remember most from that time?
Sarah: She was at the Dragons, and I was in my first season at the Roosters playing at that level. It was my first year trying to learn a new code, and I was thrown in the deep end at halfback or something, because it was only nine-a-side, not 13. It was kind of like free-flow footy. I remember Holli. I made sure that I didn’t go near her or tackle her because she was this giant (in the game).
When we both made the PM’s team, I was like pinching myself because there was something about Holli that made me feel so welcomed, and she had that friendly, family vibe.
Holli: I remember Sala sharing her family story with us in Port Moresby and her journey and how she got where she was. She was a baby, like 18. Her story kind of stuck with me, and I think ever since then I've kind of tried to look out for her. I’ve been a big supporter of Sala and am always in her corner.
Q: What’s the one part of each other’s game you would take to add to your own game?
Sarah: For me, I would like to take Holli’s calmness and her aggression. She doesn’t take any crap. She's brought that to the Wests Tigers NRLW team this season. She’s just got that passion and I bloody love that.
Holli: I love Sala’s intensity. We joke all the time during training, saying Sala is either 0 or 100; there’s no in-between. The intensity with which she trains and plays- everything is at 100 per cent. She has that level of professionalism, and she's the first person to put her hand up when she could be better or to ask how she can improve.
Even after 50 NRLW games, she’s still saying ‘give me the feedback, I want more.’ That’s testament to who she is as a player and a person. I'd love to be switched on like her all the time. I wouldn’t mind her raw power either.
Sarah: Raw power? That’s Holli. When she's doing dumbbells and everything, it’s like 50 kilos. She challenges everyone.
Holli: I think it’s also the divine timing of the universe. I would technically have played my 50th last weekend, but I was suspended for one game for knocking Sala out in a game for the Sharks. Do you remember that?
Sarah: Oh my, yes (laughing).
Holli: In my defence, Sala ran 100% into my shoulder. There was no force from me. It was all her. It’s crazy to think of the what-ifs, what should have been, and all the injuries and all that, but I'm so grateful, privileged, and proud to have my 50th game this weekend to share this special milestone with Sala.
Togatuki and Wheeler will celebrate their shared milestone when Wests Tigers host the Sydney Roosters at Leichhardt Oval this Sunday. Be there to cheer them on in what promises to be an exciting NRLW match.
Match details:
Wests Tigers vs Sydney Roosters
Sunday, 26 July
Leichhardt Oval, Sydney
Tickets: Available via Ticketek
Kick-off: 6.15pm
Broadcast: Live on 9Gem, 9Now, Kayo Sports, and Fox League
