BLACK FERN STACEY PLAYS THE FAMILY GAME

As she prepares to make her debut for the Warriors, the rugby legend reveals how she met her soulmate and became a stepmum

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Black Ferns superstar Stacey Waaka's life has changed dramatically in the past two years. When Woman's Day last caught up with her, the World Cup-winning winger was single, flatting with fellow rugby player Tenika Willison and unsure of where she wanted her sporting career to take her.

Was it time to hang up her boots? And when would she fulfil her dream of becoming a mum?

After falling in love with her partner Rob Tai, she's become a stepmum to two gorgeous girls, moved to a farm, acquired 15 animals and embarked on a new career.

As she prepares to make her debut for the New Zealand Warriors women's league side in July, Stacey is relishing life with Rob and his girls Jhzara, 13, and Nhila, eight.

Having known each other since high school, where they used to play touch rugby together, Stacey and Rob reconnected two years ago. The smitten athlete calls him “the love of my life”.

She says, “We're so similar. We're both very competitive and he loves sport. We just kind of rekindled. It wasn't planned and here we are.”