Exclusive: Cronulla Sharks skipper Tiana Penitani opens up on overcoming tragedy to mould herself into one of the hottest stars in the NRLW

Sharks NRLW star Tiana Penitani is already one of the best backline players in the league, but when you learn what it has taken to get her there, it becomes apparent just how inspirational she is.

The 27-year-old Cronulla skipper has been a powerhouse on the wing and in the centres for NSW, Australia and in the NRLW, proving to be almost impossible to stop in full flight.

That’s after she became the youngest Aussie to represent the country at either a rugby union or rugby sevens World Cup in 2013 aged just 17, before a serious knee injury cruelled her chances of wearing green and gold at the 2016 Rio Olympics.

A family tragedy when she was young put that setback into the shade, however – but it also helped shape her into the mentally tough player she is today. 

‘I give a lot of credit to who I am to my mum and the way she raised us; the values and morals that she kind of instilled in us from a really young age,’ she said. 

Sharks NRLW skipper Tiana Penitani told Daily Mail Australia her mother was a huge influence on how she lives her life and plays her football

The NSW and Australia representative’s ex-NRL star husband Aaron Gray (pictured together) has been a rock for her as she chased her sporting dream

A multi-talented athlete, Penitani also played rugby, and was the youngest Aussie to ever represent the country at a rugby union or rugby sevens World Cup (pictured in 2015)

A tribal tattoo on Penitani’s thigh – a touching family tribute – can be seen during her stunning performance for NSW in game two of this year’s State of Origin series

‘It shaped me as an athlete because it taught me the importance of resilience. When you’re put in a position where you go through tragedy and you experience trauma at such a young age, you’re kind of forced to face it. There’s no opportunity to run away from it. 

‘I think the way I kind of have have let that lead and drip-feed into my playing career and my sporting life was just to be tough, not be afraid of anything and to take take challenges head on. 

‘And at the end of the day, I’ve been through some really dark times with my family and nothing, nothing will ever really compare to that. 

‘I’ve learnt a lot about myself over the years … something I’m really proud to say is that I’m a really resilient person, and I’m proud to say I’ve carried those life lessons through my career.’ 

The Sharks skipper scored a try in the side’s inaugural NRLW game, which they won 28-14

Penitani got her season off to a superlative start in Cronulla’s 28-14 win over Canberra for the club’s inaugural NRLW game, scoring a try and running for 132 metres in the 70-minute encounter.

That followed on from a stunning performance in game two of the State of Origin series, after she missed the first through an injury suffered at Blues training. 

That resilience she spoke of came to the fore quick smart, as she scored two tries, made three line breaks and two tackle breaks on her way to 138 metres.

It’s hard to conceive of the inner strength Penitani has carried throughout her life and time in footy.

Picked as Cronulla’s inaugural NRLW captain ahead of such stars as Emma Tonegato, Quincy Dodd, Venessa Foliaki and Hollie Wheeler, it’s obvious how highly regarded she is as a leader.

As well as being a representative and NRLW star, Penitani is a dermal (skin) therapist, and a Fox League ambassador

A Cronulla player at the time, Gray pushed her to play for the Sharks when she first decided to switch back to rugby league, and she’s now come full circle

Constantly at her side is husband Aaron Gray, an ex-NRL star who played for the Rabbitohs and Sharks. The pair have been together for roughly 10 years.

For someone that is a self-confessed ‘hyperactive’ woman, Penitani lauds Gray for always bringing her back down to earth.

Given she is a Dermal (skin) Therapist as well as regularly featuring on Fox League’s coverage, that is no small feat. 

‘He’s (Gray) fantastic and he’s he’s kind of encouraged me a little bit to take a step back because he knows that when I burn out, it’s proper mental burnout,’ said Penitani. 

‘So he’s the little angel on my shoulder, like, ‘Hey, take a little bit of a break’, and I love that. He holds the fort when I’m away, so he can be the house husband.’

Being recruited to Cronulla is a coming home of sorts for Penitani, though she played in Souths territory as a junior with La Perouse.

After transferring from Rugby Sevens in 2019, Penitani signed up with Cronulla’s Harvey Norman Women’s Premiership side, where Gray was playing at the time. 

Dismayed Cronulla wasn’t awarded an NRLW licence despite being a leader in women’s footy, Penitani continued to play for the club in the offseason, when the second-tier league is played, while she suited up for the Dragons and Eels in the NRLW before ‘returning home’. 

The Sharks have a very exciting team for the NRLW season, but Penitani is the foundation on which the side is built 

‘I’ve played for them (Sharks) ever since (she played senior rugby league) and been there behind the scenes helping build that pathway and contributing to trying to get the NRLW license for the club. So I definitely feel like I am coming home,’ she said.

‘It’s really special (to be the first captain) and to kind of see how much the game has grown over the last five years.

‘To know where they were, they got knocked back in 2018 to be part of the inaugural season, when they were kind of one of the clubs that were leading the way in terms of their women’s pathways. 

‘So I know that that really hurt the club, and they worked really hard behind the scenes over the last five years to get into a position where they would be a strong contender for a licence.’

Given their 28-14 thumping over the Raiders, the rest of the league may be ruing the Sharks being given a licence.

The side has some of the most exciting players in the game in prodigies Jada Taylor and Emma Tonegato, and a pretty sold, well-rounded list.

And the pillar of strength is Penitani, who is an incredible example of the power of resilience and bravery.