Dual Olympic rugby sevens gold medallist Stacey Waaka admits to being nervous ahead of her NRLW debut for Brisbane, which will also incredibly be the 28-year-old's first game of rugby league.
The New Zealand rugby union legend was proudly holding the gold medal she won in Paris when she gave her first interview as a Bronco on Wednesday, ahead of Sunday's clash with Gold Coast.
Waaka has achieved it all in rugby union, having previously won two 15-a-side World Cups plus sevens gold at the 2020 Olympics, 2018 Commonwealth Games and the 2018 World Cup.
“I'm just keen to give it a go," Waaka said of her code switch.
“I'm here to learn lots, take what I've learnt and hopefully help some of the girls and vice versa.
“I probably wanted something different, I've been playing for New Zealand 10 years now and it is quite a long time and it's cool, it's fun and it's comfortable.
"I love what I do but here I've seen some of my friends come over (to the NRLW) and just excel.
“It's been amazing watching them play and do well, so I'm like, cool, you've inspired me, and you've motivated me to come and do the same thing.
“I know how big NRL is in Australia, and I know how many girls have cross-coded from New Zealand to play this unreal sport."
Waaka explained why she was feeling "nervous" ahead of her debut.
“For me, it's about something different. I've never played league ever," she said.
“I've only just started watching it, probably the last couple of years, and it's cool.
“I know there's a little bit more structure than sevens. It's a bit more free flowing.
“But I've literally come with an open mind, don't really know plays or anything, and I've learnt heaps in the last few days that I've been here.
“I'm very uncomfortable, but I love being in that zone."
Waaka trained with the Broncos on Tuesday night and has been named on the wing against the Titans, alongside her former teammate Gayle Broughton who will play No.6 after missing the side's opening two losses of the season with a back injury.
The euphoria of beating Canada 19-12 in the Olympic final was still plain to see when Waaka spoke.
"I'd probably rate it above Tokyo mainly for the reason that we had a crowd. There were no COVID rules and we got to interact with other athletes in the village," Waaka said.
"And the stadium … I went to the Rugby World Cup last year and watched the All Blacks versus Ireland knowing that one day I was going to be there playing at the Olympics and it was everything that we expected.
"With lots of pressure on your shoulders, and especially us chasing back-to-back titles, we managed to do it. I'm so proud of the girls."
