Sparking a Mele: The more she learns, the more she scores

Plenty of the game's best tryscorers have never bagged four tries in a match but Broncos powerhouse Mele Hufanga has already done it twice in a 13-game career.

Joining the Broncos from rugby union last year, Hufanga took a couple of games to get going before crossing four times in a 40-12 thrashing of the Cowboys in Round 3.

By season's end she had racked up 10 tries in 10 games and she has carried that form in 2024, piling on four tries in her side's 44-4 demolition of the Titans on Sunday.

Making her international rugby league debut before she even secured an NRLW contract, Hufanga was a standout at the 2021 World Cup with the Kiwi Ferns, but now with a second pre-season under her belt, knows what to expect from the competition.

“I think last season, it was my first NRLW season and it just give me a feel of it,” Hufanga said.

“But this year, I feel like I'm aware of what I'm getting myself into. So far, so good.

"It's tough, but it is what it is, but I am enjoying it, 100 per cent.”

It certainly looked like last year's Dally M Centre of the Year was enjoying the game as she ran for 214 metres, which included 10 tackle breaks and five line breaks.

As well as matching her own NRLW record for most tries in a match, Hufang  also set up her teammates with a line break assist and a try assist.

The win was a much-needed shot in the arm for the Broncos who had started their season poorly with back-to-back losses.

Boosted by the return from injury of Gayle Broughton in the halves and Shenae Ciesiolka in the backline, as well as the inclusion of Kiwi Sevens gold medal winner Stacey Waaka, things clicked for the Broncos to upset the previously undefeated Titans.

“Feels good, not just the tries – the tries are a bonus, but I think it feels good to win,” Hufanga said.

“Obviously in the last two games (we haven’t got the result), but it was good to get that win.

“I think for me, every game that I play, I just want to enjoy it because I feel like when I do enjoy it, then I play the best that I can.

“So my goal this year is just to be better. I am looking forward to next week.”

The Broncos return to Totally Workwear Stadium to host the Canberra Raiders in Round 4.