Ahead of her Test debut for New Zealand on Monday, cross-code star Mele Hufanga has pledged her allegiance to rugby league in 2023.
Hufanga captained the Tongan rugby union team in this year’s Oceania Championships, but her performances for the Ponsonby Ponies in the Auckland Rugby League competition saw the 28-year-old earn her spot in the Kiwi Ferns World Cup side.
Named on the wing in Ricky Henry’s Ferns side set to take on the Cook Islands on Monday (AEDT), Hufanga has revealed her 2023 plans which will no doubt attract the attention of NRLW scouts.
“I’m definitely just going to stick to rugby league next year. I always tell everyone I’m not getting any younger even though I’m only 28,” Hufanga told the media ahead of the Kiwi Ferns'World Cup clash against the Cook Islands.
“But I feel like I’m at a point in my life where I need to just stick to one code.
I can’t be a superhero all the time and play two codes at once.
Kiwi Ferns debutant Mele Hufanga
“So I feel like I’ve got to stick to one code and I feel like league is where I’m heading at the moment.”
Rested in New Zealand’s 46-0 Round 1 victory against France, Hufanga admitted she “got itchy feet” watching her side kick off their campaign in York last week.
“I’m really excited just to go out there and play and represent my family on the big stage,” she said.
“I was playing league and union at the same time this year. It’s been a crazy year for me but World Cup is probably the highlight so far.
“I really wanted to play for Tonga but they weren’t in the World Cup so I thought why don’t I try with the Kiwis.
“When I first got the call from Ricky (coach) it was an overwhelming feeling, I didn’t know how to feel…I still don’t know how to feel describe it now. Hopefully I’ll be able to describe it after my debut.”
Touting Hufanga an “unbelievable talent” Ferns coach Ricky Henry has praised the explosive outside back’s efforts off the field and is excited to see what she can do when she pulls on the black and white for the first time on Monday.
“We’ve been watching her over the last couple of years and if you jump on youtube and check out a couple of clips, you can see she’s an unbelievable talent,” henry said.
“She’s got lots of strike and she’s very powerful and skilful.
“I didn’t know much about her personality but she’s come to the camp and really lightened the spirit and the group.
“She’s been massive not just on the field but off the field as well.”
With all sights set on their Round 3 clash against the highly-fancied Jillaroos on Wednesday, Henry has opted to rest a host of Ferns stars against the Cook Islands Moana, including Gold Coast star Georgia Hale.
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“We’re pretty fit but we just wanted to give a couple of players a bit of a rest just knowing what the schedule looks like at the back end of our campaign,” he said.
“Georgia Hale is going to be rested, although she didn’t want to. It was a pretty tough call from us too. She’s someone that wants to play every minute of every game but she’s so important to our team and we wanted to keep her fresh.”