For Australian representative and Homegrown All-Star Taliah Fuimaono, the 2022 Women’s Country of Origin Series was a tough pill to swallow.
Sky Blues coach Kelly Hield had made it clear that Fuimaono was expected to make the team, but a fractured collarbone ruined her chances of making her interstate debut.
NSW Sky Blues debut (LR) Jaime Chapman, Taliah Fuimaono, Jesse Southwell and Brooke Anderson.Credit: Dion George Prose
After 12 months, the 24-year-old finally got her chance at the Rugby League World Cup Hield named her to the team on Wednesday.
“I’m still in it, I think. It didn’t feel real to me until I packed my bags last night and got into a taxi this morning,” Fuimaono said.
Fuimaono is no stranger to injuries.In addition to a fractured collarbone, organizers have Suffered from shoulder problems and tore her ACL During her relatively short NRLW career.
“I think the past few years have been a bit like that [sitting on the sidelines]I ran into a few hiccups here and there that made me wonder if I’d be selected [Origin] team.Last year was a little different because she [Hilder] Tell me, ‘You could be my number 6,’ but I don’t have a chance,” Fuimaono said.
Taliah Fuimaono on the eve of last year’s World Cup.Credit: Renee Novitag
Despite the setback, Fuimaono focused on her recovery, improving her game and setting her sights on her next goal.
“I’m a firm believer that everything happens for a reason, so maybe I wasn’t ready. But I think it’s a good thing I didn’t play last year, anyway, they got the job done without me. So, it gave me time to heal myself and make me a better player and person,” Fuimaono said.
