Manurewa Marlins product Ngatokotoru Arakua was a Kiwi Ferns debutant in 2017 and became an NRLW pioneer, playing for three clubs in the elite premiership as well as accumulating seven Test appearances.
Cook Islands-born Arakua received her maiden call-up for New Zealand from Papakura Sisters in 2017, debuting off the bench in 16-4 loss to Australia in Canberra 10 days before her 20th birthday.
The front-rower was chosen in the Kiwi Ferns’ World Cup squad later that season, her four outings at the tournament including another interchange appearance in the defeat to the Jillaroos in an epic final at Suncorp Stadium.
Arakua joined Brisbane Broncos for the inaugural NRLW season in 2018, playing all four matches and scoring a try in the grand final victory over Sydney Roosters. She subsequently started at prop in another trans-Tasman classic, the Ferns’ 26-24 loss to the Jillaroos in Auckland.
Arakua linked with St George Illawarra Dragons in 2019 – helping the Saints to the grand final, where they lost to the Broncos. After dabbling in rugby union with Counties Manukau and the Chiefs Super Rugby team in 2020-21, she was snapped up for Newcastle Knights’ NRLW entry in early-2022, playing two matches.
Earning a recall for New Zealand’s Test against Tonga midway through 2022, the 25-year-old started in the second-row in a 50-12 win.
