Sport
10 June, 2021
Taumafai twins savour Sapphires League state title
Former Caboolture Snakes duo, Emmogen and Tamzin Taumafai, savoured being part of the Queensland Sapphires rugby league team which won the Under 19 division at the recent Harvey Norman Women’s National Championships in Redcliffe.
It was the first time that the Women’s National Championships featured an U19 division, with the Sapphires defeating the other Queensland team, the Rubys, in the decider.
Having played all of their junior rugby league with the Snakes, Emmogen and Tamzin have turned out for the Sunshine Coast Falcons in this year’s Harvey Norman U19 competition.
The twins were late inclusions in the Sapphires squad and were surprised to receive the call-up in their comeback year.
“Tamzin is coming back from a shoulder reconstruction and I am coming back from having a baby, so to be able to train and play amongst the best has definitely motivated us to continue our dream of playing rugby league at the top levels,” Emmogen said.
The Sapphires had a great start to the four-day campaign at Moreton Daily Stadium as they beat Western Australia 44-0, with Emmogen and Tamzin used off the interchange bench.
The Sapphires notched four tries and three conversions in each half against the Western Australians.
Tamzin was again used as an interchange player the following day while Emmogen was promoted to the front-row, with the Sapphires defeating Victoria 24-0.
Three tries were scored in the first half and two in the second half, with only one conversion in each half.
Emmogen and Tamzin didn’t play on day three as the Sapphires overcame a 4-0 half-time deficit to edge out NSW City 6-4.
NSW City had a chance to steal victory when winger Jess Whelan took an intercept and set sail for the tryline, before Sapphires back-rower Keilee Joseph bundled Whelan over the sideline.
The final day was keenly anticipated as the Sapphires faced the Rubys, who began the tournament with a 66-0 thrashing of South Australia before having wins of 32-6 and 12-10 against Northern Territory and NSW Country respectively.
Tamzin returned for the Sapphires as a replacement while Emmogen again didn’t play.
Four unconverted tries, including a double to Joseph, gave the Sapphires an unbeatable 16-0 lead before the Rubys scored a late try.
Although their game time was limited throughout the four days, the Taumafai twins relished the overall experience.
“Tamzin and I were stoked to just be able to get the opportunity to be a part of the first U19 comp at the Women’s National Championships,” Emmogen said.
“Being a part of winning the competition was definitely one of our footy highlights, but to be able to play with your twin is something rare and special which we will remember for a lifetime.”
