A month before Siokapesi Palu was to fly to England for the women’s Rugby World Cup, the Wallaroos captain was in Sydney’s North Shore Private Hospital with her right foot in a cast.

On July 12 in Wellington, Palu’s leg was trapped under a tackle. She was on her back and unable to free herself; her body convulsing in pain. In the change rooms at half-time, the initial diagnosis came through, and her chances of playing in the World Cup weren’t great.

“I just bawled my eyes out crying … I just knew my hopes of a World Cup were very slim,” the Wallaroos captain said.

Scans showed a complete tear of the Lisfranc joint – an injury that usually sees players sidelined for three months. It should have ruled Palu out of the tournament.

The squadleft Australia on August 11 without her. Three day

See Full Page