A feeling of jubilation swept across Takilele Katoa when she found out that she had been selected in the women's NSW team to take on Queensland in the State of Origin next Friday night.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
Katoa said that she couldn't believe the news when she got the call on Tuesday morning.
"When Andy (Patmore), the NSW coach, gave me a call on Tuesday, I wasn't ready for the news that he was going to give me," she said.
"I was sitting in the car with the biggest smile on my face, and he could tell that I was excited. I'm pretty excited; this is huge for me its the next level up playing for your state. I'm honoured to get the chance to do that.
"I'm still in shock."
Katoa will make the trip up to Sydney on Sunday to enter camp with the rest of the NSW squad before taking to North Sydney Oval on Friday evening to take on the Queenslanders.
It has been an excellent season for Katoa who was part of the Riverina Bulls side which took out the inaugural Women's Country Rugby League Championships back in April before being selected as part of the County NSW side who finished second at the National Championships in early June.
The talented Griffith player said that she was surprised that she gained selection after not playing at her best during the National Championships.
"Honestly I thought I could have played better," she said.
"That was another reason why I was shocked to get the call up for NSW just because I thought I didn't think I played as well as I could have in the final match.
"I just have to work on the little things, and hopefully it all works out for next week's game."
The achievements by Katoa are even more remarkable given that she has been going up against ladies who have the opportunities to play rugby league week in week out.
"We don't have rugby league down here. The Canberra competition is probably the closest, and that is still a bit of travel," she said.
"Getting the chance to get this far without a big rugby league background is an honour."
Griffith will have a chance to see the Riverina Bulls players, including Katoa, when the Katrina Fanning Shield comes to town which will see teams from Canberra play at Solar Mad Stadium on Saturday, July 13.
***
While you're with us, did you know that The Area News is now offering sports as part of its growing email newsletter service? Our sports email will keep the sports-mad up-to-date with a round-up of all the weekend's sports action - sign up here.