Star injured after scoring 100th try
It was a bittersweet weekend for star Manawatu¯ Cyclone Selica Winiata.
The fullback scored her 100th first-class try in the 20-13 win over Bay of Plenty on Saturday, but was later knocked unconscious in a nasty tackle and stretchered off the field.
Winiata opened the scoring with the first try of the game at the Arena, Palmerston North, but was driven to the ground, head first, in the 60th minute.
Paramedics took her from the field, where she went through concussion tests. Doctors later cleared her, but coach Fusi Feaunati expected her to spend the next two weeks on the sideline.
She becomes the first women’s rugby player to bring up a century of tries to add to her growing list of accolades.
The Manawatu¯ and Black Ferns outside back has scored 36 tries for New Zealand and 64 for Manawatu¯ . She has played 74 games for Manawatu¯ and 33 for the Black Ferns.
Feaunati said Winiata’s try set up the victory, which put Manawatu¯ into third spot on the premiership table, behind Counties and Canterbury.
‘‘It’s a massive achievement for Selica.
‘‘It was a strange occasion for her and probably didn’t end the way she would have liked, but she’s hard as nails and player welfare is paramount.
‘‘With all her experience she still plays the game and plays it really well.
‘‘We’ve got a good balance of new girls and experience and she’s at a stage now where she’s passing a lot of knowledge to the other girls.’’