NRLW 2022: Parramatta Eels captain Simaima Taufa sets 188kg squat record

Parramatta’s NRLW captain Simaima Taufa’s efforts in the gym make her one of the strongest players across the men and women’s games.

Simaima Taufa can squat 188kg.

A mark, you should know, that causes even young NRL players to flex.

But Taufa? She lifts in repetitions of three. Which is something to behold given she weighs just 75kg. Or almost a seven kilos lighter than last year.

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Almost a dozen kegs lighter too, than at her heaviest playing weight with the Jillaroos.

All of which comprises a staggering overhaul for Parramatta’s inaugural NRLW captain, who enters the 2022 season in a swirl of weight being lifted, lost and pressed.

Eels powerhouse Simaima Taufa will Parramatta in their inaugural NRLW season. Picture: Toby Zerna

So forget the tag of rugby league’s strongest female.

Pound for pound, Taufa is among the strongest anywhere — period.

With the 27-year-old now joining fellow Eels powerhouse Maika Sivo as king and queen of the squat rack. But exactly how high heavy she could go? Nobody can say.

Yet know this powerhouse middle also deadlifts 170kg and benches 93kg — again in threes.

Asked about her NRLW squat record, the Tongan-born star laughed: “Ah, I’ve got taro legs.

“So I box squat 185. And I did go 188 (recently) for three.

“Bench, I don’t like so much.

“I’m a legs person.

“Although it’s been weird because losing weight this year, I thought I wouldn’t be as strong. But instead, I’m actually hitting PBs.”

Simaima Taufa joined the Eels after three seasons at the Roosters. Picture: AAP Image/Richard Wainwright

Apart from her Island bloodlines, Taufa also credits the new lifts to a Parramatta high-performance staff that also boast the squat record-holder among NRL players.

Back in 2019, The Daily Telegraph revealed Fijian winger Sivo was squatting 285kg — or five kilos up on a club record set by Blake Ferguson.

Yet over summer, all talk at Eels HQ has surround the hyped Roosters recruit, who previously played as high as 86kg.

“Altogether I’ve dropped 11 kilos,” Taufa said.

“Given the women’s game is getting quicker, and I’m wanting to stay on the field longer, I had to get fitter.

“Obviously I’m mindful of not losing strength. Especially being in the middle.

Simaima Taufa on the charge for the Jillaroos against New Zealand. Picture: AAP Image/Dan Himbrechts

“But I’ve been fortunate to work with some great high-performance staff here at Parramatta who are enabling me to move freely – not be a basher all the time – and play some footy.

“Of course, there will be times when I still have to carry hard, take the hit.

“But I’ve also got that ability now to play some footy with ball in hand. (Laughs) So who knows? You might even see a chip and chase this year.”

Apart from being the strongest player in the NRLW, Taufa is also arguably the toughest.

Like the time she played through the Auckland Nines with a broken arm. Or after copping a boot to the face against New Zealand, demanded Australian medicos just pull the tooth out.

Which nobody would, of course.

So Taufa had it removed later, by a dentist.

Part of the inaugural Roosters NRLW side in 2018, Taufa played three seasons with the Tricolours before heading back out west this year to become the Eels marquee recruit.

“And being able to represent western Sydney, that excites me,” she said. “Because if you can see it, you can be it.

“Wearing the Parramatta jersey this year, we’ll be carrying a lot of young girls with us.

“Showing them that the opportunity now is here, right in their backyard.”