Rugby runs in veins of Adiana Talakai but tech glitch almost costs her Waratahs squad spot
Adiana Talakai is one of numerous members of her family to play sport at a high level. But she almost missed out on her biggest opportunity ever recently.
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It’s often said people are born to play sport and Adiana Talakai is one of them.
Sport runs in her veins, through her family tree with multiple close family members competing at an elite level across a number of major football codes.
But modern technology almost thwarted this rugby natural making the Waratahs squad ahead of the 2020 Super W season.
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Despite a family history which includes brother Chris being with the men’s Waratahs side, brother Sam with the Rebels, cousins Mako and Bill Vunipola playing for England and also being related to former NRL gun turned Titans assistant coach Jim Dymock, Talakai has never played elite rugby herself until recently.
“I have never played in Super Rugby. I went to a few games to support my friends,’’ said Talakai, playing club rugby with Sydney Uni.
“I’ve watched from the stands but never played, watched friends to see the standard and how much effort they put in.”
Talakai also didn’t realise she had a real shot of making the women’s Waratahs squad despite trialling for it
“When my friends asked if I got the email (from the club) I said I hadn’t and I was pretty bummed out,” said the 20-year-old.
“Then Matt Evrard (former coach) messaged me on Facebook and said, ‘are you happy with the offer’ and I said ‘what offer?’.
“I checked my spam and found the email there.’’
Talakai, who works behind the bar at the Coogee Legions club, has played football since she was four, starting her career in rugby league at the Mascot Jets.
“Mum made a deal with me that if I played league I had to play netball as well, so I did netball on a Saturday and rugby on a Sunday,’’ she said.
“My brothers and cousins all played rugby union but I thought I would maybe stick with league.
“But then I got into high school and got exposed to sevens and then I started playing 15s for Sydney Uni in 2018.’’
Surgery on her right ankle sidelined Talakai for an extended period, a time out which made her realise how much she wanted to play the game.
“It gave me the whole mindset that when I come back I am going to give 100 per cent.,’’ she said.
“I just picked up my game and it went from here.’’
In November Talakia was named in the 49-strong NSW Waratahs women’s squad under the direction of new coach Campbell Aitken
The squad has already begun training ahead of the 2020 Super W season.
Originally published as Rugby runs in veins of Adiana Talakai but tech glitch almost costs her Waratahs squad spot