Less than a year after her son's birth and 15 months on from her international rugby retirement, Wallaroos legend Liz Patu is staging one hell of a comeback.
The 33-cap Test front rower called it quits after Australia's quarter-final exit from the 2022 Women's Rugby World Cup but left the door open for a return to Super Rugby Women's down the line.
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Those plans were put on hold after falling pregnant with Patu's first child, Peter, whom she welcomed to the world with partner Vilikesa Raboiliku in July.
"Pregnancy was such a good thing but it's been a tough experience too," Patu told rugby.com.au.
"I'd actually been moving in with my partner at the time I went into labor and we were taking things up about three flights of stairs the day before - I went to bed that night thinking 'gosh, I'm a bit sore'.
"When we got to the doctors the next day, they assessed everything and told me I was 8cm dilated and ready to go. He was born premature at 36 weeks but he's got a Fijian dad and Samoan mum so he looked full term already when he came out!
"It's been tough in a way because I knew my personal time was going away and changing forever but it's also such a blessing that I've had him and I'm so grateful for experiencing that."
Now, just 242 days after becoming a first-time mum, she's set to make her return to top-flight footy in Queensland's 2024 Super Rugby Women's opener against Fijiana Drua.
But it's been far from an easy road back, and one she wasn't sure she'd even set out on.
"I wanted to know what other rugby mums are going through but it's been tough trying to define that identity and figure out if this is what I wanted," Patu said.
"I started pre-season training about August last year and I only wanted a program to get back into the swing of things.
"When I first started training, I had to learn how to run again and thought to myself that I should be able to do a lot more but at the same time, I was realised that my time was divided now.
"You're not at the same point as when you left and you've also got to remember your kid and a thousand bags and bottles and formula every time you leave for training.
"I really didn't know how I'd go. Next thing you know, it was September and we were putting together a program and timeframe with the physio and with our doc Sharon because they haven't had a mother coming back so quickly before."
While she's embraced her role as a team mum (in more ways than one given Queensland's youthful squad) Patu is also winding back the clock by returning to the hooking role she last held at the 2017 Rugby World Cup.
"Hooker was always going to be a position for me and when Grant (Anderson) decided to have me there, I knew it would be a good opportunity to teach these other girls up front
"To be honest, I think I'm just there to guide these new girls around. They're sponges - they love learning about the different positions
"Our squad is young and exciting and I think it helps also having that core group of Wallaroos girls. I was so excited to see Lori back in the maroon jersey this year, her energy is just so good, and the likes of Vani just help create that atmosphere around the side."
Patu is under no illusions about the Round 1 challenge facing her side - a grand final rematch against reigning champs Fijiana Drua - but believes Queensland can shake their title drought with the right mentality in 2024.
"It's going to be a tough game and some of our girls haven't played on this kind of stage yet, but they've come a long way. Fiji have come a long way too and our girls will be up for the challenge and challenging themselves against the best," she said.
"The goal at the end of the day is winning Super Rugby Women's but our goals are about winning every battle. We want to win every game, every set piece, perfect what we do and control our controllables."
