Gutsy, versatile back Abigail Roache overcame serious injury setbacks to snare an unlikely World Cup final starting spot in 2022.
Roache, the younger sister of equally unlucky and resilient ex-Warriors utility Nathaniel, endured ACL tears in both knees before turning 20 and had further surgery to repair meniscus injuries.
The Cathy Friend Women’s Player of the Year in 2022 after a superb ARL campaign for Richmond Roses, Roache was initially left out of New Zealand’s World Cup squad but received a late call-up when Kararaina Wira-Kohu withdrew thanks to a torn calf days out from the tournament.
The 22-year-old made her Test debut in the 10-8 pool-stage loss to Australia and was called up to fill the five-eighth role again in the final, where the Kiwi Ferns were trounced 54-4 by the Jillaroos.
Following a season with Super Rugby Aupiki side Chiefs Manawa in 2023, Roache linked with Newcastle Knights and played all 11 games at centre in the club’s drive to a second straight NRLW premiership, scoring six tries. She was subsequently named in the Kiwi Ferns’ Pacific Championships squad.
Roache was an unused replacement in the first-up loss to the Jillaroos in Townsville, but a sizzling three-try (plus a try assist and 176 metres) display in centres in the win over Tonga earned her a backline spot against Australia in Melbourne, where she played a strong role in a 12-6 triumph.
A backline mainstay for the Knights again in 2024, Roache scored three tries in nine matches – as well as picking up the NRLW Tackle of the Year award at the Dally Ms for a remarkable try-saving effort – before taking her place in the Kiwi Ferns’ Pacific Championships squad, where she lined up in the centres of all three Tests.
