Star Wallaroos and NSW Waratahs lock Atasi Lafai has suffered another serious injury – which will rule her out of this year’s Rugby World Cup in England.
The 30-year-old, who was the Player of the Super Rugby Women’s Grand Final last year and later named RUPA’s Player of the Year, was injured during the Waratahs’ recent trial against NSW Pasifika.
Lafai, a 30-capped Wallaroo and a major part of the forward pack that won their maiden WXV title in South Africa last year, has a colour history will injuries, having overcome two ACL injuries, a broken collarbone, a broken ankle, a broken foot, a broken finger and a neck issue.
She has even copped a lacerated tear duct during the 2024 Super Rugby Women’s season thanks to a stray boot stud – forcing her to wear goggles for the start of the season.
Atasi Lafai of the Wallaroos competes for the line out during the women’s International Test match between Australia Wallaroos and Fiji. (Photo by Cameron Spencer/Getty Images)
While none of these injuries were able to end her playing days, the results from this latest injury are her most serious yet – scans revealed she had suffered ACL, MCL and lateral meniscus injury damage, ending her season.
Her injury is a big loss of experience for Jo Yapp’s Wallaroos side as they look ahead to the Rugby World Cup in England, starting in late August.
Lafai was looking to play in her second tournament after turning out for the Wallaroos in New Zealand in 2021.
First debuting in 2018, Lafai has enjoyed a strong career in gold and for the NSW Waratahs so far, earning 30 national caps and winning five Super Rugby Women’s titles.
Lafai missed the Waratahs’ current tour of New Zealand as part of their pre-season preparations for Super Rugby Women’s, which kicks off on February 28th when they host the Fijiana Drua in Sydney – in a rematch of the 2024 Grand Final.
with AAP
