Persistence has paid off for Nakia Davis-Welsh after finally being given the chance to cement a regular NRLW spot with the unbeaten Sharks.
Davis-Welsh, who played fullback for the Jillaroos at the 2017 World Cup, performed a starring role in Cronulla's 24-12 comeback defeat of Canberra as children Steven and Nevaeh cheered from the grandstand.
The match was her first NRLW appearance for the Sharks after joining the club's NSWRL team last year and just her third match in the competition she was initially signed as a marquee player for Sydney Roosters in 2018.
After a five-year break from the game, Nakia Davis-Welsh played two NRLW games for Parramatta in 2023 before returning to the Sharks and she has been given a chance on the wing after a season ending injury to Jada Taylor.
Nakia Davis-Welsh Try
“It took me a while to get back, but it felt good to go back to my original position, which is wing, so it’s awesome,” said Davis-Welsh, who scored a try and saved another against the Raiders.
"It felt good to get a try. It's a credit to [Sharks NRLW strength and conditioning coach] Vaughn [Lantry] for getting me fit and back to my old position."
In doing so, Davis-Welsh has become another inspirational figure in the NRLW as she shows it is possible to combine motherhood with playing top level rugby league.
Davis-Welsh said having time out of the game to start a family had paid off as she now has her two beautiful children and biggest fans supporting her every move.
“They are always in the ground and normally screaming out my name,” Davis-Welsh proudly stated.
“It’s been a bit tricky, but I have a great support system in my partner and my parents."
With her father, Paul Davis, playing for the Balmain Tigers and cousin Greg Inglis considered a once in a generation talent, Davis-Welsh has a strong rugby league background and always had a desire to play the game.
“I’ve been playing since I was younger with my brother and all his mates so I’ve been playing since I could walk basically,” she said.
The former Jillaroo and NSW Sky Blues representative, who has also played for the Indigenous All Stars, gave a reminder of her talent as the Sharks fought back from 12-0 to score 24 unanswered points in Canberra.
A try saving ankle tap on Raiders centre Cheyelle Robins-Reti in the first half to prevent the home side from going further ahead and a 59th minute try on the left wing capped a dream Sharks debut for Davis-Welsh.
Try saver from Davis-Welsh!
However, the top-of-the-table Cronulla side had to dig deep to extend their unbeaten start to the NRLW season to three matches ahead of Sunday's clash with premiers Newcastle at PointsBet Stadium.
“I guess the half time chat was that we know we have got it in us and to just keep at it, and the tries will come,” Davis-Welsh said.
"We always come back in the second half so we knew we just had to stick at it and we would get the points, and we did."
