The Canberra Raiders are pleased to announce the signings of international representatives Amelia Pasikala and Sereana Naitokatoka for the 2024 NRLW season.
Kiwi Fern Pasikala will join the club for the 2024 and 2025 seasons, while Fiji Bulikula representative Naitokatoka joins the Raiders for 2024.
Hailing from Wairoa in New Zealand, Pasikala burst onto the rugby league scene in 2023, playing for the Canterbury Bankstown-Bulldogs in the NSWRL Tarsha Gale Cup.
She then made her NRLW debut for the Sydney Roosters, playing seven games in 2023, before being rewarded with Kiwi Ferns selection at the end of last year.
Naitokatoka is entering her third season of NRLW, having played for the Parramatta Eels in 2021 and the Cronulla Sharks in 2023, playing all nine games off the bench last year.
The 22-year-old has also represented Fiji since 2019 and was part of the Mounties’ Harvey Norman NSW Women’s Premiership win in 2023.
Raiders NRLW coach Darrin Borthwick is excited to have Pasikala and Naitokatoka join the club and bring their experience to the team.
“To secure Amelia here for a few years is terrific,” Borthwick said.
“Her story last year, her rise happened pretty quickly. Obviously she had a pretty bad injury playing for the Kiwi Ferns but is rehabbing really well and jumped at the opportunity when we offered her something here.
“I’m really looking forward to what type of impact she’s going to have in and around the group. She’s very young still as well but so dynamic. I feel what she’s going to offer this team is definitely going to benefit us week in, week out.
“I’m really happy for Sere, I kept an eye on her up at the Sharks and she played really, really well.
“I think she’s going to complement our side. She’s a good player, she’s got good utility value, she can play in the halves or at nine. She’s going to be really good for us.
“It just creates that little bit of competition for positions, which I only think will bring the best out in the whole group as well.
Pasikala said she is grateful to be joining the Raiders for the next two seasons and is excited to make the move to Canberra in the coming weeks.
“I’m really excited to join the team for the upcoming seasons, getting amongst the ladies, making those connections and being in an environment where I can be myself so I can give the best version of myself,” Pasikala said.
“I’m really big on culture and connections and for me, the Raiders bring that to the forefront. Not to mention the great community behind the teams.
“It gives me a sense of home with how my community in Wairoa gets behind everything I do. That’s what drew me in.”
Naitokatoka is looking forward to joining some of her Mounties’ teammates at the Raiders and the opportunity to represent the club.
“I’m excited and looking forward to coming to the capital, I didn’t think I would ever relocate somewhere but it’s here, it’s happening and I thank God for guiding me,” Naitokatoka said.
“I’m looking forward to what’s next and what’s to come. I’m also looking forward to meeting the team, being part of a great group and sisterhood creating memories which I will cherish forever.
“I’m excited and blessed to be able to put on new colours, wear it with pride and respect, make it my best year and enjoy every minute of it.”
