Stacey Waaka 'weighing up' options ahead of 2025 Rugby World Cup

"The world is your oyster" is a common phrase but very rarely does it ring as true as it does for cross-code star Stacey Waaka, who is weighing up her options ahead of a big 2025.

Having just completed a season in the NRLW with the Brisbane Broncos, the former Black Ferns and Black Ferns Sevens speedster is eyeing multiple major quadrennial events as well as the SVNS circuit as she plans for the next chapter of her already illustrious career.

Dipping her toes into the world of rugby league has ignited a new competitive fire, but the familiar call of rugby union is also in her ear making the decision extra difficult.

The 29-year-old helped the Broncos to a top-of-the-table finish in her debut season, scoring six tries in six appearances before suffering a lower leg fracture. She quickly established her dangerous running game, but the differences in the tackle area were a challenge.

"I found that very hard because in 15s you get up quickly, whereas in league you stay on them for a few seconds," she told RNZ's Nathan Rarere.

"And it's actually quite brutal in the contact area in league, some of them hold you around the neck and they're pinning you to the ground - which is all legal, that's obviously the way league goes, but I just found it quite hard to get used to because being a union girl I don't like doing rough things and dirty things.

"So, it's still going to take a bit of time to get used to that. But that's all good, I'll get there."

You could hear Waaka's trademark grin as she spoke of the challenges of 2024. It's a grin that's seen many arenas and podiums, including that of the 2024 Paris Olympics.

The Black Ferns Sevens claimed another gold medal at the event, Waaka's second after the Tokyo Olympics. She somewhat sheepishly admitted the two medals, along with her other silverware, have found an unceremonious home at the Waaka household.

"Honestly, I feel terrible saying this but they just sit in a draw. They're not in boxes or anything, they're just there.

"Only because I love sharing them, so I take them around and it just gets a bit hoha (tiresome) trying to put them in and out of cool things. one day I'll definitely make it all look proper and have it on display in some kind of cool frame but for now, they just come with me to random places and otherwise live in my draw."

The medals weren't the only souvenir, as the players received a special poster as well - something that is also yet to make its way onto a wall back home.

"It's still in the box. I haven't quite hung that one up. I actually got a couple of them. I bought one, there was a merch shop in the village and thought 'this is so cool', so I bought one not knowing that we were going to win and you get given one when you win. So, I've got a couple that I might share around with the whanau (family).

"You know, that conversion rate is not the one, you lose half your money!"

The sevens, played at the famous Stade de France, was one of the big tickets for the 2024 Olympics. Hundreds of thousands of fans rolled through the stadium, witnessing New Zealand triumph alongside hometown heroes France in the Men's competition, led by superstar Antoine Dupont.

The popularity of the event and atmosphere came as no surprise to Waaka.

"I already knew France were going to put on. Playing 15s over there, the crowds were absolutely nuts. They'd be there so many hours earlier than the game would start, they'd be there cheering, yelling, yahooing, and then they'd literally be there until we left the stadium, after we'd done our debriefs and showers.

"So, when I heard it was going to be a Paris Olympics, I thought OK, we're in for a big one here. When I ran out in front of those crowds it was just cool because I had mentally prepared for it, I knew it was going to be loud. We just had to soak it up, we have to enjoy it, and obviously, the teams who could handle that pressure the most is going to come out on top and I think we did that quite well."

So, how could 2025 in any way compete with the adventures of 2024? Well, a Rugby World Cup is on the horizon.  But, first and foremost, Waaka is set to get her feet back under her in rugby union.

"It's really hard to think about. I'm really grateful there's options there with sevens, 15s and the potential to go back to league. But, for now, the plan is to go back for Black Ferns Sevens for the next season. I'm currently rehabbing my injury, I should be back, hopefully, for Perth SVNS. That's the goal, I've just started running again.

"Thinking ahead to the World Cup, I've been to two, it's been amazing, I'm still deciding, I'm weighing it up.

"I am very interested in the league World Cup in 2026 and that's quite open news to my coaches and to the people who need to know.

"I'm just trying to decide what's best for my future, what's best for my whanau and what appeals to me the most when the decision has to be made."