“ARE YOU SERIOUS? OH MY GOD”: Shalom Sauaso Recalls Emotional Broncos Debut—Teen Star Honors Her Village After Shock Call-Up
It Takes a Village: Shalom Sauaso’s Powerful Debut for the Broncos Sparks NRLW Buzz
In what can only be described as a whirlwind debut, 18-year-old Shalom Sauaso stepped onto the NRLW stage in unforgettable fashion during the Brisbane Broncos’ opening round victory over the Wests Tigers. Her journey to this moment has been steeped in hard work, support from her community, and a quiet determination to succeed—traits that came to light when her number was suddenly called.
It wasn’t the debut Sauaso had envisioned—not by a long shot. Sitting quietly on the sideline at Totally Workwear Stadium, she was unexpectedly thrust into action midway through the first half after Broncos centre Julia Robinson was ruled out following a Head Injury Assessment (HIA). The moment came with barely a warning. Coaches called her name, and adrenaline took over.
“I was sitting on the bench and they were like, ‘HIA, Lomy, you’re on,’” Sauaso recalled. “And I was like, ‘Are you serious? Oh my God.’ But I was just grateful for the opportunity.”
Even as her heart pounded, the rookie was ready. Her versatility had been honed through a demanding pre-season, where she was rotated through multiple positions—centre, hooker, and lock—to prepare her for just such an occasion. Though she entered the game in the unfamiliar position of centre, it only took five minutes before she was moved back to the middle, a zone where she felt more at home.
Once there, she didn’t just play—she made an impact. In just 31 total minutes on the field, Sauaso racked up 93 running metres from nine carries, broke five tackles, and helped shift the momentum of the game in Brisbane’s favour. Her performance wasn’t just impressive—it looked seasoned.
Broncos coach Scott Prince was one of many left stunned by her maturity on the field. After the game, he remarked that Sauaso looked like someone who had been playing first-grade footy “for five to 10 years.” That’s high praise for a debutante barely out of high school.
But it’s not entirely surprising. Sauaso’s rugby league résumé is already stacked. She’s represented Queensland and the Australian Schoolgirls in both rugby league and rugby sevens. In 2024, she was named both player of the tournament and player of the final at the National Schoolgirls Cup while representing Ipswich State High School—achievements that laid the groundwork for her NRLW career.
Despite the glowing accolades, Sauaso has not been immune to the pressures that come with such early recognition. She admits the expectations can sometimes feel overwhelming. But in those moments, she leans on her family—her unwavering support system. That bond was especially visible during her debut weekend, when dozens of loved ones turned out in shirts bearing her face and name. The day before, those same family members had helped present her with her jersey in a moving ceremony that symbolized just how far she’d come and the village that helped raise her.
“This is just the beginning and it’s going to be hard,” she said honestly, “but I’m willing to do the work to stay in the team.”
Part of her motivation to continue improving comes from the desire to honor the people who have believed in her along the way—none more significant than Broncos captain Ali Brigginshaw. Sauaso spoke with genuine emotion about her relationship with Brigginshaw, who used to pick her up from school and drive her to training. To now be playing alongside her childhood idol is something she still finds surreal.
“It’s probably my biggest achievement yet to play alongside Ali. It’s huge,” Sauaso said. “Watching her on TV, she’s one of my idols, so I’m honestly super blessed.”
But Brigginshaw isn’t the only Broncos veteran guiding Sauaso. Prop Chelsea Lenarduzzi, affectionately known as “Duzzi,” has taken on a mentor-like role as well, often pushing Sauaso to focus on the small but crucial details in her game. The 18-year-old appreciates the tough love, knowing it’s what helps her grow.
“‘Duzzi’ has been a big one,” she said. “It comes from a place of love. She’s always correcting me and telling me what I need to fix, and it helps improve my game, so I’m super grateful for her.”
For Sauaso, it’s not just about big moments or highlight-reel plays. It’s about consistency and doing the little things right—the “one-percenters,” as players call them. These are the qualities that don’t show up on stat sheets but are vital to long-term success.
Her mindset, she says, has been shaped by strong mentors throughout her childhood. Even at a young age, she was taught the importance of mental resilience and focus. These traits are helping her stay grounded amid the excitement and buzz surrounding her debut.
“I’ve been lucky to have good mindset mentors growing up,” she said. “It all comes back to mindset.”
Looking ahead, Sauaso isn’t getting ahead of herself. She knows that her next test—Round 2 against the Gold Coast Titans—will be a challenging one. The Titans boast a physically imposing forward pack, and she’s preparing herself both mentally and physically for a tough contest.
“I’m expecting a lot from Titans—they’ve got pretty strong forwards,” she admitted.
If her Round 1 performance is anything to go by, Sauaso is more than capable of meeting the challenge. Her rapid rise is a testament to her talent, work ethic, and the strong support network around her—from family to teammates to coaches.
In many ways, her journey serves as a living reminder of the phrase, “It takes a village.” Whether it’s the teammates who push her, the coach who believes in her, or the family who proudly wear her name in the stands, Sauaso is not walking this path alone.
And if she continues to seize every opportunity the way she did on debut, Shalom Sauaso won’t just be a name to remember in 2025—she’ll be one for the future of the NRLW.
