Tonegato out for one final mission before positional switch

NSW fullback Emma Tonegato plans to farewell her time in the No.1 jersey the same way it started last season with the Dally M medal winner looking to play another key role at CommBank Stadium on Thursday night.

Tonegato will line up in her second official Origin appearance for the Sky Blues with the 28-year-old retaining the fullback spot for the first of two clashes in the expanded series this month.

It could be the last time Tonegato makes her mark as a fullback with the Sharks looking to play the rugby sevens convert at five-eighth for the upcoming NRLW season after her defection from the Dragons in the summer.

And after a quieter 2022 NRLW season following her breakout 2021 campaign which included being crowned the game’s best alongside Millie Boyle, a change of clubs and positional switch could provide Tonegato with the platform she needs.

“Last year I found myself wanting to get around the ball a bit more and do more of the organising and to be able to do that first receiver role and be able to create really appeals to me,” Tonegato told pan66.com.

“I love defending too and being up in the front line and having girls left and right. It’s going to be a bit of a challenge especially at a new club and learning how they want to play but that's all part of it.

“Obviously with this Origin series playing fullback is all I’m really thinking about at the moment and once I get out of here I’ll reassess.

“We’ve got a bit of a longer pre-season so once this first game is over I'll start to turn my focus on playing five-eighth at the Sharks.”

The Sharks have healthy competition in the halves with Tayla Preston, Sereana Naitokatoka and Maddie Studdon all notable playmakers in the squad while Jada Taylor is likely to start at fullback but can ball play if needed.

Tonegato is also buoyed at the thought of working with NSW Blues debutant Nicho Hynes at the club once the pair split from their Origin duties.

Hynes, a fullback-turned-playmaker himself coming through the NRL ranks, could be the key to helping Tonegato making the long-term switch and successful.

“We’ve definitely been speaking now that I’m working around the club so that’s really helpful,” she said.

“I’m sure we can work something out and knock over some sessions together once I get into training.

“Guys like Nicho and Wade Graham have already put their hand up to come and help us out.

“There’s just a really good vibe at the club and everyone is just so pumped to have a women’s team in the NRLW after waiting for such a long time.

“For me personally I was excited for something different and to be in an inaugural team and be able to help shape how a club is run and looks at the women’s game.”

After starring for the Sky Blues in Canberra last year, which included a try, three line breaks and the infamous half-time speech that included a swear word or two, Tonegato expected more fireworks for the series opener.

“Origin is one of those games where you know both teams will be up for it and Queensland will come back harder after losing last year,” she said.

“It will be a good vibe for the game, it’s always nice to play in Sydney and being a two-game series makes it really interesting now."