'Just keep getting up': Stacey Waaka opens up about 'tough' injury

Stacey Waaka has opened up about her “tough” transition back to sevens after picking up an injury during last year’s Rugby World Cup final at Eden Park.

Playing in front of a sold-out crowd at the famous venue, the Black Ferns etched their names into rugby history with a hard-fought win over the Red Roses.

Waaka was one of the players of the final, having set-up a World Cup-winning try inside the final 10 minutes.

But that’s when disaster struck.

With a smile on her face, Waaka left the field with an ankle injury.

The talented Black Fern spent some time on the sidelines, before returning to international rugby earlier this year at the Hamilton Sevens.

Waaka, who scored a hat-trick during the Black Ferns Sevens’ big over Hong Kong China, has spoken with RugbyPass about her “hard” journey back to rugby.

“It was really tough, I was injured obviously from the World Cup,” Waaka told RugbyPass.

“Coming back, it’s hard but it’s motivating because we play a sport that we get paid for, we can travel the world (and) go to new places.

“I always keep that in the back of my head and why you’re passionate about it so you make it hard.

“No matter how hard it is and how hard those trainings are, you just keep getting up.”

Waaka made history on an already momentous day at Hong Kong Stadium this week, having crossed for a hat-trick during their opening round 50-nil win in pool play.

Friday will go down in history as a significant day for women’s rugby.  For the first time ever, the Women’s World Series made a stop in Hong Kong – a 46-year first.

“We know that this was a tournament before the World Series even started,” she added

“We know that we had a New Zealand team, a women’s team, competing in 2000. It was quite a long time ago.

“It’s cool because we share those moments and we honour the past and the legacy that those ladies played for us.

“Our men have been playing here for quite a few years and they say this was definitely one of their favourite tournaments.

“Absolutely significant and we’re just grateful that we get the opportunity to play here.

“I’m just grateful to be in an amazing team and that’s probably one special thing about it, anyone could score from anywhere.

“You’ve just got to have each other’s back no matter what.”

Waaka also scored a try in New Zealand’s emphatic 43-nil victory over Great Britain late on day one.