NRLW 2024: Jillaroos debutant Sarah Togatuki credits Penrith Panthers premiership winners for her rise

Brian To’o and Stephen Crichton haven’t just helped the Panthers make rugby league history, the Penrith premiership winners have also helped to create a Jillaroos star.

They’re the free footy clinics in Sydney’s west, run by NRL premiership winners Stephen Crichton and Brian To’o, that helped create a Jillaroos star.

Wests Tigers prop Sarah Togatuki has revealed how Crichton and To’o have played a crucial role in her earning an Australian Test debut this Friday night at Suncorp Stadium against the PNG Orchids.

Togatuki attended many of the free training sessions in Mt Druitt in 2018, ahead of her first ever NRLW season with the Sydney Roosters.

The 27-year-old said summer clinics helped springboard her own career in the women’s game.

Sarah Togatuki is set to make her Jillaroos debut. Picture: NRL Imagery

“I give credit to Critta (Crichton) and Bizza (To’o),” Togatuki said.

“Before NRLW came out those boys were holding a couple of free sessions. That was just back when they were just rookies (themselves) at Penrith.

“They were holding clinics, pre-season sessions and I had happened to go to some of them.

“Man, that was an eye opening experience for me and that’s what really helped me excel in coming into the NRLW.

“I owe those boys a lot.

“We’ve always crossed paths, it wasn’t just rugby league, it was also just living in the same area in Mt Druitt. We are a very close, tight knit community out there and we tend to lean on one another.”

But that was only be the beginning of Togatuki’s connection to Crichton.

This year, Togatuki played alongside the Canterbury skipper’s younger sister Harmony for the Tigers in the NRLW.

Togatuki has credited free footy clinics in Sydney’s west for launching her NRLW career. Picture: Getty Images

Harmony, like older brother Stephen, is an outside back boasting plenty of potential.

“Critta’s sister Harmony has just had an ACL reconstruction but she is another talent, she is so similar to Stephen and how she prepares for a game and plays,” Togatuki said.

“I just know when she comes back she is going to do some much for herself.”

The family connection doesn’t end there. Togatuki also featured in an exhibition rugby league nines match for Samoa alongside To’o wife Moesha back in 2016.

“She’s actually a gun. I know she has a baby now but from my memory, she had just come over from New Zealand and we played our first game for Samoa,” Togatuki said.

“She was just a weapon.

“She could probably put the boots back on. If Bizza put some (training) session on for her, I have no doubt she’d kill it.”

Togatuki says she owes her success in the women’s game to Stephen Crichton (left) and Brian To’o (middle). Picture: NRL Photos

In other NRLW club news, the Gold Coast Titans have locked in star fullback Evania Pelite on a long-term extension.

The Queensland Maroons centre was unsigned beyond 2024 but after contract talks with coach Karyn Murphy the 29-year-old has agreed to stay on at the Titans for the next three seasons until the end of 2027.

The Titans were runners up in last year’s grand final before missing out on the finals series this year.

Pelite, a Rugby 7s Olympic gold medallist, is committed to helping the Titans win an inguinal NRLW title.

Meanwhile, the Titans have locked down star fullback Evania Pelite until the end of 2027. Picture: Getty Images

“It means a lot to me to extend my time here. I love this club and I’ve had a lot of conversations with Murph about wanting to stay at the club long-term, so I’m really happy to signed until the end of 2027,” Pelite said.

“I now really want to create history and be the first premiership-winning team on the Gold Coast. We came so close as grand finalists last year so it’s extremely motivating to know we have the potential to go one better.

“I also want to remain injury free which I did this past season. I feel that contributed to my performance and I really want to build on that in 2025 and reach my full potential as a fullback.”

Originally published as NRLW 2024: Jillaroos debutant Sarah Togatuki credits Penrith Panthers premiership winners for her rise