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Shakiah Tungai (born 29 November 1996) is an Australian rugby league footballer who plays a wing and five-eighth for the St. George Illawarra Dragons Women in the NRL Women's Premiership. She is an Australian and New South Wales representative. Shakiah attended Barrack Heights Public School and Warilla High School.

Background

Born in Wollongong, Tungai is of Indigenous Australian descent.

Growing up, she played soccer in first grade since the age of 14, winning numerous ‘golden boot’ awards as the leagues leading goal scorer. Shakiah's team were very successful, winning many State Cup Championships during her soccer career, before switching to rugby league in 2017. In 2016, she won the Kyah Simon Player of the Tournament Medal at the National Indigenous Soccer Championships.

Playing career

2018

In June, while playing for the Avondale Greyhounds in the Illawarra Rugby League, Tungai represented NSW Country at the Women's National Championships. On 26 July, she signed with the St. George Illawarra Dragons NRL Women's Premiership team.

In Round 1 of the 2018 NRL Women's season, she made her debut for the Dragons in a 4–30 loss to the Brisbane Broncos. She scored one try and kicked three goals during the season, finishing as the Dragons' top point scorer.

On 6 October, Tungai scored three tries and kicked three goals for the Prime Minister's XIII in a 40–4 win over Papua New Guinea.

2019

On 15 February, Tungai represented the Indigenous All Stars, scoring a try in their 4–8 loss to the Māori All Stars.

In May, she represented NSW Country at the Women's National Championships. On 21 June, Tungai made her State of Origin debut for New South Wales, scoring a try in their 14–4 win over Queensland.

On 6 October, Tungai started on the wing in the Dragons' 6–30 NRLW Grand Final loss to the Broncos. In October, she represented Australia at the 2019 Rugby League World Cup 9s.

On 25 October, Tungai made her Test debut for Australia, scoring a try and kicking three goals in a 8–28 win over New Zealand.

2020

On 22 February, Tungai started at fullback for the Indigenous All Stars in their 10–4 win over the Māori All Stars, injuring her shoulder in the match.

In Round 1 of the 2020 NRL Women's season, Tungai started at five-eighth for the Dragons in a 4–18 loss to the Sydney Roosters. She injured her shoulder during the game, ruling her out for the remainder of the season.

References

1. "Shakiah Tungai – Career Stats & Summary". Rugby League Project. Retrieved 28 November 2020.
2. Pasfield, Sam (20 October 2020). "Shakiah Tungai | Women's Origins". New South Wales Rugby League. Archived from the original on 1 December 2020. Retrieved 28 November 2020.
3. ^ Jennings, Mitch (27 July 2018). "Dragons 2018: Tungai on path to stardom". Illawarra Mercury. Archived from the original on 11 August 2021. Retrieved 28 November 2020.
4. Walter, Brad (6 February 2019). "Two sports in two months: Tungai set for second crack at Maori". National Rugby League. Archived from the original on 11 August 2021. Retrieved 28 November 2020.
5. Newton, Alicia (29 May 2018). "Women's Nationals the perfect Origin appetiser". National Rugby League. Archived from the original on 9 November 2020. Retrieved 28 November 2020.
6. "Dragons sign four local juniors to Women's Premiership ranks". St. George Illawarra Dragons. 26 July 2018. Archived from the original on 9 November 2020. Retrieved 28 November 2020.
7. "NRL Women's Premiership team: Round 1 v Broncos". St. George Illawarra Dragons. 4 September 2018. Archived from the original on 20 October 2020. Retrieved 28 November 2020.
8. Chammas, Michael (6 October 2018). "Tungai stars for Australian women's side". National Rugby League. Archived from the original on 25 September 2020. Retrieved 28 November 2020.
9. Walter, Brad (15 February 2019). "Rota puts personal anguish aside to inspire Maori All Stars". National Rugby League. Archived from the original on 27 November 2020. Retrieved 28 November 2020.
10. Newton, Alicia (22 May 2019). "Line-ups named for Women's National Championships". National Rugby League. Archived from the original on 8 November 2020. Retrieved 28 November 2020.
11. Walter, Brad (21 June 2019). "Studdon stars as NSW women fight back to beat Queensland". National Rugby League. Archived from the original on 3 November 2020. Retrieved 28 November 2020.
12. "NRLW late mail: Grand final v Broncos". St. George Illawarra Dragons. 6 October 2019. Archived from the original on 27 October 2020. Retrieved 28 November 2020.
13. "When to watch the Red V at the World Cup Nines". St. George Illawarra Dragons. 14 October 2019. Archived from the original on 20 October 2020. Retrieved 28 November 2020.
14. Newton, Alicia (25 October 2019). "Jillaroos bounce back from Nines defeat to thump Kiwi Ferns". National Rugby League. Archived from the original on 12 December 2020. Retrieved 28 November 2020.
15. Gould, Joel (22 February 2020). "Davis-Welsh, Harden lead Indigenous Women's All Stars to glory". National Rugby League. Archived from the original on 27 November 2020. Retrieved 28 November 2020.
16. Newton, Alicia (3 October 2020). "Injury concerns for four Dragons after first-up defeat". National Rugby League. Archived from the original on 6 October 2020. Retrieved 28 November 2020.

External links

• St George Illawarra Dragons profile

• 1996 births
• Living people
• Indigenous Australian rugby league players
• Australian female rugby league players
• Australia women's national rugby league team players
• Canberra Raiders (NRLW) players
• New South Wales Rugby League State of Origin Women players
• Rugby league wingers
• Rugby league five-eighths
• Rugby league fullbacks
• Rugby league players from Wollongong
• Sportswomen from New South Wales
• St. George Illawarra Dragons (NRLW) players