Poke in eye had Krystal really worried

A poke in the eye had Krystal Rota worried her Rugby League World Cup dreams were done.

Fortunately for Auckland Rugby League’s women’s player of the year the consequences aren’t as serious as first thought and she’s still in the race for the Kiwi Ferns No.9 jersey.

The injury so painful Rota thought she’d damaged her eye when taken from the field in a great deal of discomfort. Doctors later found a cut on the inside of her lower left eye-lid and said the eye was fine.

Rota, 31, suffered the cut in the second half of the Auckland women’s premiership final between her Manurewa Wahine and Richmond Roses at Mt Smart Stadium No.2 last Saturday.

The Wahine won 30-0 to recapture the title they’d lost to the Papakura Sisters last year. The incumbent Kiwi Ferns No. 9, the glue in the Wahine’s win, says she anxious for her Kiwi Fern’s chances when she was taken from the field.

‘‘I was very worried at first because I wasn’t sure how serious the injury was. Thoughts that I might miss out on the World Cup crossed my mind. Luckily the laceration was to the bottom eyelid and not the eyeball. I couldn’t wait to get out of hospital after the diagnosis. I really wanted to get back to my team mates and celebrate our victory.’’

Rota who grew up in Manurewa and is a James Cook High School old girl says she is relieved her dream to play in a World Cup is still intact and that she is honoured and humbled to be named the best women’s player in Auckland.

The honour was bestowed on her at the Auckland Rugby League awards night, held a few days before the grand finals. ‘‘I’m elated, honoured, proud and humbled to have the recognition. Yes, it’s an award that has always been on my bucket list. I can tick it off now.’’

Rota attributes her form to all the hard work she’s put in and being injury free. ‘‘I been doing a lot of extras this year in an effort to make the Kiwi Ferns. I’ve played for the Kiwis in the Auckland Nines and the ANZAC tests but I’ve never played in a world Cup. That’s something I really want to do.

Others to be recognised at the awards were the Manurewa Marlins’ Justus Areaiiti who was named Sharman Cup player of the year and Nesha Tuki of the Manukau Magpies. She was named volunteer of the year.