Invisible prop Black Ferns hat-trick hero
The last time a prop scored a hattrick in a Rugby World Cup final was, well, it had never been done before Sunday morning’s effort from Black Ferns prop Toka Natua.
Tokoroa born and bred, the 25-year-old graphic designer was a try-scoring machine in the final and also heavy in defence when the Black Ferns needed it in the face of England’s first-half onslaught.
Quietly spoken after the win, Natua said she was just happy to be a part of a team she had dreamed of making since she was in year eight – the first time she picked up the oval ball.
‘‘Oh just awesome, I’m speechless,’’ she said.
‘‘This is a dream come true to be honest. To be honest I just wanted to make the Black Ferns and I wanted to do it for my family.
‘‘They were the ones who wanted me in the World Cup.’’
Natua made the Black Ferns in 2015, a year after the team was prematurely knocked out of the World Cup by Ireland.
While she missed that defeat, she could sense many of her teammates wanted some sort of redemption leading in to Sunday’s final.
No one to put herself in the centre of attention, Natua kept a cool head during the tournament and started with No 1 on her back in every match – a sign coach Glenn Moore had a huge a amount of faith in his loosehead prop.
It was expected that winger and the tournament’s top try-scorer, Portia Woodman, would do what she does best and take the lead for the Black Ferns in the final. But when England directed play and closed the flanks down, New Zealand had to rethink their strategy and keep the ball in the forwards.
So naturally, Natua, who used to play No 8 and flanker, took her 101kg frame and hit the ball up.
‘‘I guess I just did my job. I’ve only been a prop for three years and I always liked to play openside flanker for Waikato,’’ she said.
‘‘It was about the girls and I am so happy with what we have achieved over here.’’
Natua is a graphic designer for a small business called Sign Magic.
She will return to work this week, after the team arrives home to Auckland on Tuesday night.
‘‘I think I go straight back to work, I haven’t really thought it through.’’
She says fitting in training with work is a real challenge, but something she has become accustomed to in the three years she has been with the Black Ferns.
‘‘My bosses are very understanding and they work around me. Work knows rugby comes first.’’
Natua travels an hour and a half to Hamilton from Tokoroa about three times a week to train with the Waikato contingent of about six players.
Yes, being a part-time international rugby side means they don’t actually train together as a full team until a training camp is called. The first training camp before the World Cup was held in June.
‘‘I used to find it difficult in the first two years, but I guess you become stronger and learn to manage your time. [Getting paid to play] would make things easier on us, some of the girls have been working from here during the tournament.’’
The no-fuss prop says celebrations will be minimal as she doesn’t drink much and had nothing planned. But she admitted it would be nice to see some sort of parade for her side, seeing as they are now world champions.
‘‘That would be amazing to be honest,’’ Natua said.
‘‘If it happens it happens, but that would be amazing.’’
The win is not only a win for the Black Ferns, but for women’s rugby in New Zealand as it will help inspire young girls to take up the game of rugby, she said.
‘‘I do think something great will come from this. The support from New Zealand rugby has been amazing."