Shiray Kaka has sacrificed a lot to be a member of the gold medal-winning Black Ferns Sevens team.
She has spent six years living apart from her husband Gillies, 31, a former All Blacks Sevens star who now plays rugby league in Japan - meaning he's overseas nine months of the year.
Shiray has also put off her dreams of growing her family, but this is something the 26-year-old is prepared to do in her pursuit of becoming one of New Zealand's rugby legends.
“I haven't reached my full potential as a rugby player yet," she asserts. “I've always been the player who only just makes the team or is always on the bench. I've never been the star player and I want to see if I can reach the promise of what I know I can be.”
In the four years they've been married, most has been long-distance and Shiray had planned to retire once she finally secured her gold medal at the 2021 Tokyo Olympics to spend some quality time with Gillies. But she couldn't ignore the pull the sport still had on her.
“I said to him if I won gold then we'd have kids and that would be me done,” recalls Shiray. "He was so excited to have me in Japan. So for me say that I didn't think I was done with rugby was a big conversation.
Esta historia es de la edición April 25, 2022 de New Zealand Woman's Weekly.
Comience su prueba gratuita de Magzter GOLD de 7 días para acceder a miles de historias premium seleccionadas y a más de 8500 revistas y periódicos.
Ya eres suscriptor ? Conectar
Esta historia es de la edición April 25, 2022 de New Zealand Woman's Weekly.
Comience su prueba gratuita de Magzter GOLD de 7 días para acceder a miles de historias premium seleccionadas y a más de 8500 revistas y periódicos.
Ya eres suscriptor? Conectar
Mamma's milk bar WENDY'S HERBAL HELPER
When she had trouble breastfeeding, she found a solution that's got mums pumped
IVF egg-swap babies 'IT WAS THE BEST DECISION!'
In a bid for a deeper connection, the loving couple carried each other's baby and sometimes feed the other one's bub too!
Ahoy there, Verity! THE PIRATE OF GARNET STATION
The local legend's making a swashbuckling return to the stage
Take Two & add a farm! HOW DANIELLE FOUND HER BLISS
The Kiwi author's country crush is contagious and has led to some bestsellers
Nobody mention air fryers 'THE GADGET WE CAN'T AGREE ON!'
Parents Andrea and Mark run their busy households in very different ways
Bonnie's next chapter 'QUEEN CAMILLA MADE ME CONFESS!'
The bestselling author's next project is top secret... to everyone but Her Majesty
Davida and the Dames OUR MOTHER'S DAY MAGIC
It's a special celebration for Miranda Harcourt and her daughter - their beloved matriach Kate is back on her feet
NO GOING BACK
Harry's preserving his dignity after having to move out of home
Carole's a real queen! WILLIAM'S GO-TO IN A CRISIS
The heir and his mother-in-law have become firm friends as they care for Kate and the kids
It takes a village HEATHER'S MOTHERHOOD SECRETS
She may have lost herself a little, but the radio star's embracing life with Iggy