“The one thing I have learnt is just to put God first and everything else will figure itself out” – Veisinia Mahutriki Fakalelu.
There is a saying that goes, ‘patience is bitter but its fruit is sweet’.
And for newly selected Black Ferns squad member Veisinia Mahutariki Fakalelu, her journey to being selected resonates deeply with this phrase.
The 20-year-old was one of the newly selected players for the Black Ferns squad for this year’s PAC4 Series after impressing selectors with her performance for the Chiefs Manawa in this year’s Super Rugby Aupiki.
“It’s been a lot coming into this environment. Having to learn on the go and trying to learn how to be professional. But it’s also been exciting for me to be surrounded by legends of the game who I had watched growing up,” Veisinia says.
With some big matches coming up in the PAC4, the young front row forward is looking forward to the onfield experience but also, soaking in the little things that matter.
“I’m so excited! Everything’s free; the accommodations free, foods free. Like I’m just so excited.”
But the journey itself has not always been smooth sailing for Veisinia, as she faced some bumps and hiccups throughout her career. One of those major obstacles was taking a break from the sport due to a serious injury.
While sitting on the sidelines and watching her teammates and friends go on without her, she fell back onto the off-field routines that mattered the most for her.
“I took a two year break due to injury. I had problems with my patela and ended up getting surgery. Before that however I had already had problems with it three years before,” she says.
“I took time away to just get myself right, especially stuff that was outside of playing rugby. I focused on my studies, my family and my faith. It was a needed break.
“Obviously from a young age I had always dreamt of being in the black jersey one day. But to then have that possibly taken away from you because of injury, and then seeing your friends make it without you, was really hard. I always have it in the back of my mind just to keep on going and giving it my all. And seeing what happens”
Another challenge that Veisinia had to adapt to quickly was her transition from her original position as a loose forward to a prop, which was first suggested to her by her Waiato FPC coach James Semple.
It’s a challenge she was able to overcome with the assistance of her teammate and close friend Awhina Tangen Wainohu.
Making the switch in positions almost nine months ago, Veisinia was able to learn from Awhina, who was also in a similar situation at the time with her journey.
“She took me through my first scrum session, eight or nine months ago, when I was first asked to transition,” Veisinia says.
“She’s a mum as well and has so much stuff going on. She inspires me. I would not be here today without her and all the other girls.”
Awhina has also been selected in the squad marking a remarkable return to the black jersey after facing her own injury complications.
For Veisinia, her success is credited to the two strongest pillars in her life, faith and family. Pillars she will carry with her as she embarks on the next part of her journey in the black jersey.
“My family is really important to me, as it is to many other pacific rugby players. You’re taught at a young age how important they are. I am not just representing myself I am also representing my family and you know all those that have gone before me,” she says.
“The one thing I have learnt is, just to put God first and everything else will figure itself out.
“God is definitely the centre of everything that I do. I believe I have been given a gift by God to play footy, and I just try my best to glorify him in everything I do.”
The Black Ferns kick off their PAC4 campaign this Saturday against Australia with their other two clashes to be held in Christchurch and Auckland.
