Atasi Lafai’s journey back to Wallaroos gold is one of tenacity and faith.
Last week’s 15-minute bench cameo against England marked almost 12 months to the day since a freak training accident ended Lafai’s World Cup campaign and derailed her 2023 Super W season.
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But few would know her ankle injury revealed a far greater concern – one that up until this month could’ve ended her career.
“Back in February, the doctor told me I had a neck injury, a disc protrusion as well, so it wasn’t just the ankle injury. It was the neck they were more concerned about,’ Lafai told rugby.com.au.
“So, it was about then they told me I might not be able to play again … and about two months ago I saw a specialist who said I couldn’t play with my disc protrusion. It would be too unsafe unless I had a really invasive spinal surgery.
“My heart absolutely broke at that point. I was really going through it but I feel so incredibly blessed to be here right now because I could’ve been not playing right now.
“It actually gets me really emotional - in the last month alone, I’ve had three different specialist appointments with three different neck surgeons and every time I go into those appointments, I'm thinking about what they’re going to tell me and if they’re going to rule me out.”
Further scans throughout 2023 revealed additional risks associated with Lafai’s disc protrusion - chief among them a congenital narrow spine, leaving her more susceptible to spinal injury.
With the clock ticking towards the Wallaroos’ second Laurie O’Reilly Test and WXV1 campaign, Lafai had packed her bags without even knowing if she’d be allowed on the plane.
“One (surgeon) said no, one said yes, so they had to get a tiebreaker. Literally a week before I came into this camp, I had to go and see the third surgeon who cleared me to play just based on some extra research,” she said.
“It was obviously my decision as well whether I wanted to put myself at that risk. I love this game so much, and I couldn’t see myself not being able to play rugby, so I said I’m happy to continue.
“So, then I was sitting at home with my bags waiting to hear whether I’d been cleared to play. Two days had gone by since I’d seen him before Doc (Wallaroos team doctor Steve Freeman) called to say you’re good to go. Next day I was on the plane to New Zealand.”
It’s no wonder then to hear Lafai’s name drew the biggest cheer of all during last week’s team announcement.
The 29-year-old will be back in action against France at Forsyth Barr Stadium and says returning wouldn’t have been possible without her religion and her support networks
Now, she’s out to repay that faith in full.
“I feel so incredibly blessed to be here right now because I could’ve been not playing right now. It actually gets me really emotional. All the girls got around me, they’ve all been really supportive and I’m just really grateful to have such a good coaching staff,” she said.
“Doc did some extra research to help me get back to playing as well as Jay, who’s been a massive support all the way back since World Cup. They also employed a new guy called David King (mental skills coach) and he’s been really helpful getting my mindset right and help me push through some pretty tough injuries.
"I’ve done my ACL twice, broken my collarbone, done my ankle and a few others over the last few years but I’ve had a lot of help and support from my family and friends and having my faith as well.
“I’m not sure I will get too many minutes (against France) – there’s a lot of competition in the locks there but I am hoping to get more minutes and hopefully build my confidence from here.
“We’re up against the best teams in the world and for us as a group, we’re just trying to fight for our country. We’ve got this mindset where we’re trying to fight back and make everyone at home proud.”
