Five stitches above the eye and a hunger to unleash “more mongrel” are the key takeaways of inaugural Vegas Combine winner Megan Pakulis’ NRLW debut.
The Canada Ravens captain became the first North American to play in the NRLW when she lined up for the Titans against the Broncos and she summed the experience up in one word – “tough”.
“Coming into this this league, this level, it's so hard to know what to expect,” Pakulis said.
“From the get-go, it's just it's a whole different ball game, really… especially up against the Broncos. As hard as it was physically, it's mentally just such an overwhelming experience."
Pakulis said the message from Titans coach Karyn Murphy leading into the game was simple.
“It was ‘just play'… she said ‘don't worry about the minutes, don’t worry about overplaying your role’…. I think she recognises that sometimes I try to take on more than maybe I should,” Pakulis said.
“She said ‘just go out there and move forward, take big carries and big tackles' and that made just my nerves settle a little bit, knowing that I just had a few roles to focus on.”
Presented with her debut jersey by NRL Pathways Project Manager Mike Castle – the man who presented her first rugby league jersey at the 2017 World Cup in his role as Ravens coach – Pakulis played 43 minutes off the bench and finished with five hit ups and 31 tackles.
Despite the Titans losing, Murphy said Pakulis should be proud of making history.
"She's travelled the world for this opportunity to make it to the NRLW and I'm sure that'll inspire a lot of girls," Murphy said.
"Exciting week for Megan and she did quite well."
Last year, Pakulis played with York in the Women’s Super League and helped the Valkyrie to premiership success and she said that laid the platform for her to join the NRLW.
“England was such a huge chapter for me… I think England allowed me to build up a lot of my skill sets and my strength and my fitness, and I'm so grateful for that experience because I think if I miss that opportunity and then had this one, I wouldn't have been fully ready,” Pakulis said.
“NRLW is tougher and it is more physical. I learned so much (in England)… it allowed me to prepare for this. I'm just grateful for having that opportunity.”
The "absolute beast of a player” - as Titans captain Georgia Hale called her during the week - said there were so many emotions leading into the clash with the Broncos.
“Initially, leading into it, it was nerves paired with some excitement and then back to nerves…. and then just running through the tunnel, I just felt ready,” Pakulis said.
“Getting to watch the game a little bit and then interchange, it allowed some of those nerves to settle… you kind of understand what role it is you need take on when you get out there …
“It did take a while to get the first touch. We were on a little bit of a defensive roll there. I think it was the first few tackles that really got me into it and thankful to have the tackling to get into it, because I know that that's where I feel most comfortable, being in the defensive grind.
“And then that allowed me just to start playing off the ruck, start getting into it all, and feel like I belong out there. But it was tough. None of it was easy. I'm just so grateful to be out there.”
The 28-year-old said since starting at the Gold Coast she had enjoyed working with Hale most.
“I think I've latched myself onto G Hale a little bit… whether she's wanted it or not,” Pakulis said.
“I think the way she plays is so admirable. It's full-blown effort. As a lock, she does the work in the middle… watching her before coming here, I was watching her as the type of player I wanted to grow into, so playing alongside her is just such a joy.
“She leads through action; she leads through voice and she encourages us all the way through. It's been a really great opportunity to be alongside her through this all.”
Combine winners continue the whirlwind
Moving forward, Pakulis said “it’s all about improving” - individually and as a team.
“I feel like that this game, it was do my role, and then next game it's do my role to the best of my ability,” Pakulis said.
“I want to be an impact out there. I want to be able to make the hits and make the carries that are going to bring energy to the team and to the squad.
“As a team, I think we have what it takes, but it's going to be (about finding) that within us. Find that grit, find that go-forward. We talk about a lot of connection, and we have it off the field, and finding that on the field is going to be that next step for us.
“I think we just need to … 110 percent front load and just bring a lot of mongrel… that's what we're looking to bring the next game.”
For Pakulis, making history, and potentially inspiring others from Canada to pursue their dreams, is a privilege and her message to anyone considering a future in rugby league is clear.
“Take the opportunities as they come… coming from Canada, the opportunities had to be a little bit further away from home and that was a decision I made,” Pakulis said.
“Finding that opportunity to go to England and then come here, really has opened up my dreams and allowed me to get to where I am.
“I wouldn't have taken the opportunities if I didn't love it the way I do. My advice is just enjoy what you do.”
Match: Wests Tigers v Titans
Round 3 -
home Team
Wests Tigers
10th Position
away Team
Titans
11th Position
Venue: Leichhardt Oval, Sydney
Match broadcasters:
- WatchNRL
*NRLW Magic Round heads to McDonald Jones Stadium in 2025 in Round 5. Be there for this historic event and grab your tickets now!
