Drawn between multiple codes, a decision looms for a Broncos phenom

A clutch career decision beckons for Broncos rising star Shalom Sauaso, who has proven within two games she had the tools to become a bona fide sensation of the NRLW.

The 18-year-old utility, who made her debut just last week, injected plenty of energy coming off the bench in Brisbane’s dominant 44-4 triumph of the Gold Coast Titans, joining the forward rotation and using her powerful leg drive to march her side down field.

Sauaso – who scored her maiden try to go with 122 running metres and 19 tackles on Sunday – had already made a name for herself in rugby union, where she starred at outside centre for the Queensland Reds this year in their Super Rugby Women’s campaign.

The Ipswich product has also proved to be a weapon in rugby sevens throughout her junior days, and was called into the Wallaroos squad last year.

Those pursuits have thrust her into the spotlight before having the chance to find her feet, but Broncos and Queensland Maroons edge forward Romy Teitzel believed she had adapted to her reality.

“I think coming into the game at such a young age and having a lot of eyes on her and her performance I think she’s taken that really well,” Teitzel said.

“I think us as a team have done a really good job of letting her be a kid. Her parents spoke about that at her jersey presentation, it’s an environment where she can feel comfortable in who she is – a really young kid coming into her own skin.

“Shalom’s definitely that kid who’s right into Tiktok and having fun and being around her friends, and in our environment I think it’s really important for her to feel safe.”

“She needs to find her journey. She’s going to be a very strong ball runner for us, but her ability to play-make and use that ball creatively is a special talent she holds.”

While Broncos coach Scott Prince said on the eve of the campaign Sauaso would have the freedom to play both rugby league and rugby union while the respective codes did not clash, Teitzel sensed a decision was nearing.

The NRLW’s collective bargaining agreement secured in 2023 has guaranteed squad salary caps will rise to $1,518,000 by 2027, with a minimum player wage of $50,600 as the game moves towards full-time professionalism.

“With the game growing, I’m not too sure you’re going to be able to chop and change, and I’m not too sure if the clubs will support that as we become full-time athletes,” Teitzel said.

“I think with the growth of the NRLW there won’t be that opportunity to play those different sports. I guess rugby league is very enticing for different codes to come across and play our sport.

“I think she’s chanced her hand in a lot of different spots, and hopefully for our sake she chooses rugby league and continues to stay here at the Broncos.”

Is the game’s best player about to find another level?

Just two games into her Broncos’ comeback, Tamika Upton has announced herself as the point of difference who can thrust Brisbane back into premiership favouritism.

The former Dally M Medal champion, largely regarded as the NRLW’s best player, returned from three years spent in Newcastle emphatically against the Tigers last week, and backed that up with an all-star showing to tear the Titans apart.

While fans on the Gold Coast were deprived of an electric fullback battle with Jaime Chapman, who was ruled out late with hamstring tightness, Upton dazzled to the tune of two tries, two line-breaks and 67 metres, before being forced off with a leg cork – one she did not appear particularly stressed about.

Since her return, the Jillaroos livewire has assumed the co-captaincy alongside Ali Brigginshaw and imposed herself on each contest, making the Broncos arguably the most lethal attacking side in the competition.

Even her simple plays made an impact, a bullet pass for Julia Robinson in the first half leading to Hayley Maddick’s try in the corner.

Robinson thrived again in the centres with a try and 180 metres, while the forwards flourished to lay that platform – hooker Jada Ferguson and middles Chelsea Lenarduzzi and Bree Spreadborough all scoring.

Teitzel believed Upton could prove the missing X-factor from last year’s outfit who fell in the preliminary final after claiming the minor premiership.

“I think so, I’ve played with Tamika on a number of occasions in different teams, and she’s a great friend of mine, but I think her confidence is from being back with her family – it’s the main reason she came back to Brisbane,” Teitzel said.

“We know on the field is really important to us, but off the field is where you need to feel really comfortable and supported.”

“She’s a great friend of mine, and we know what she can do on the football field, but I think the best inclusion for us is her experience off the football field. She’s a leader in our team and just adds so much confidence to our team.”

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