It’s child’s play for new mums
Black Ferns Becky Wood and Sosoli Talawadua showed recently that becoming a mum is no barrier to playing provincial rugby.
Among the throng of burly rugby players and sports journalists at the launch of the New Zealand provincial rugby season in Auckland yesterday were North Harbour’s Wood, with her three-month-old daughter Chloe, and Talawadua from Waikato, with her 91⁄2-week-old baby Marisela-Grace.
The new mums will play for their provinces in the Farah Palmer Cup this season, which kicks off on September 1, and are eager to strap on the boots again.
‘‘I’ve been out of the Harbour scene for the past 12 months,’’ Wood said.
‘‘So I’m pumped to get back into it. We’ve got an awesome squad this year and there is a lot of excitement among the girls.’’
Wood, a firefighter by profession, said she didn’t feel it was a problem coming back to rugby, but said she’s found it helpful to have the support of her family.
‘‘It adds a new element and it’s a new challenge, but we’re getting there,’’ she said. ‘‘I’ve got 12 months off work so that frees up a bit of time, but babies are pretty full-on.’’
Wood, 30, said she never considered skipping the provincial season. ‘‘We got pregnant with her pretty much straight after the World Cup,’’ she said.
‘‘The timing has worked out well and it was always a goal to get back into the rugby, I just wasn’t too sure when.’’
Talawadua, 29, says she did contemplate having a bit more time out of the game, but in the end decided against it.
‘‘I thought about that, because I knew she’d only be 12 weeks when the first game rolls around,’’ Talawadua said.
‘‘But then I thought about my age and that I might not have many seasons left in me. So I’ll try to play as many as I can.
‘‘It has its challenges. I give it up to all of those mums who are playing sport, but I’ve got my sister and brother who help me out.
‘‘But the challenges of having to express milk, making sure she’s got enough food and then getting to training, is quite a big thing. But I am excited to get back out there this season.’’
The Farah Palmer Cup will be expanded to a 12-team competition this season, with Taranaki returning to the fold.
It leaves just Northland and Southland as the only Mitre 10 Cup provinces not fielding a team in the women’s competition.
‘‘There is so much talk about women’s sport these days and equality and there are more paid contracts across all sports,’’ Wood said. ‘‘Winning the World Cup definitely gave it a good push, so it’s really cool to be a part of it.’’
It’s a similar story in league with last week’s announcement of the Warriors’ professional women’s NRL team. For women in either code, there are more options and pathways available.
‘‘There are quite a few of my friends that I used to play rugby with that have gone to league,’’ Talawadua said.
‘‘It’s a bit sad that they’ve gone, but it’s exciting for them that they’ve been able to pick up those contracts with the Warriors and teams overseas as well.’’
‘‘It adds a new element and it’s a new challenge, but we’re getting there . . . babies are pretty full-on.’’ Becky Wood