Even Tyla Nathan-Wong admits she is still struggling in the Kiwi Ferns jersey.
But it could soon become a permanent fixture if she is named in the New Zealand women’s squad for the upcoming Pacific Championships against Australia and Tonga.
“Obviously I have always been a big supporter and follower of rugby league in general, particularly the NRL and NRLW, since it started from afar,” says Nathan-Wong.
“But I never thought I would put on the Kiwi Ferns jersey. Clearly you’re thinking far and wide about how cool that would be one day if I could ever do it.”
“When I think about the fact that in my first year ever playing in the NRLW league, I might be able to put on this jersey for my fifth sport at international level, I will put on the black jersey.”
And it is this wealth of experience that has made adapting to the NRLW so easy for her.
Although her team, the St. George Illawarra Dragons, did not fare as well as she had hoped, Nathan-Wong still managed to form a strong half-partnership with fellow New Zealander Fern Raecene McGregor.
“She may be new to rugby league but Tyla has really done it all as a professional athlete so she will draw on a lot of experience to play well against the Australians and Tongans,” said Kiwi Ferns coach Ricky Henry.
The decision to change the code, a “now or never” moment for the Olympic sevens champion.
“In general, the window of time in contact sports is limited and the body can only handle so much.
“But even as a woman, there’s this time when you want to settle down and start a family, and unfortunately out of the two, you’re the one who gets pregnant and has to hold the baby, which is incredible in itself.”
“So I knew I just felt like I was at a point in my career where I had accomplished everything I wanted,” Nathan-Wong says.
Whānau was ultimately the deciding factor for the 29-year-old, especially considering her grandfather David Wong was the first Chinese-New Zealand player to play for the Auckland provincial rugby league team.
“He’s this proud person who tells the checkout at the grocery store that I’m his granddaughter and he should see me on TV.”
No doubt Grandpa, or Gung Gung as he is affectionately known in the family, will be watching next weekend when the Kiwi Ferns take on the Jillaroos in the Pacific Champions game in Townsville.
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