The 24-year-old flyer was part of the New Zealand team that reached the final of the Rugby League World Cup in 2022 in York, meaning that she was on the other side of the world as the Black Ferns stunned England to retain their union world title. Watching on from afar, Vaha’akolo knew that she wanted to know what it felt like to be part of the New Zealand union set-up, particularly as she was struggling so much to find her place in league. She explained: “I really struggled because my confidence around contact sport was really bad back then so I didn’t enjoy it.
But what I did enjoy was being part of the professional environment. That was really cool and there were all the things I learned. Being in a space with such high-skilled athletes, I enjoyed that.
But I just had no confidence in myself. I was going through the World Cup not feeling like I was supposed to be there. “When I didn’t get selected for the World Cup League final, the feedback from the coach was that I wasn’t mentally tough enough.
“I remember going away after that campaign thinking that everyone around me can believe in me but if I don’t believe in myself, I’m not a help to my team.” It is remarkable to think that just a year on from feeling like that, Vaha’akolo was being recognised as World Rugby’s women’s breakthrough player of the year for her performances in her maiden season in union. That is testament to the support around her, from Allan Bunting and the New Zealand coaching .