'There was a dark and challenging time': Nuku ready to make up for lost time

A year ago Manaia Nuku didn’t think she’d get the chance to play for the Black Ferns Sevens again. Let alone compete in the 50th year of the Hong Kong Sevens with her parents, Gina and Wallace, in the crowd. It’s a first overseas trip for Wallace.

In April 2025 she blew her ACL. More specifically she suffered a small inline fracture in her fibula from hyperextending her knee while practising front tucks.

This acrobatic exercise requires a running start, a two-footed “punch” takeoff, a tight knee-to-chest tuck, full forward rotation, and a stuck landing.

“When I first got injured, I was struggling to walk,” Nuku told RugbyPass. “There was a dark and challenging time. Working with Roderick Solo and a couple of others who’ve been through similar struggles really helped.

“I think the biggest thing this journey taught me was that you have to talk to people and normalise the experience rather than hide behind the pain. I definitely think I’ve become a better person because of this, more resilient and empathetic.

“It’s really special to be in Hong Kong. Mum went back in the day and partied in the South Stand at the old stadium. Dad has never been overseas before.

“He loves the food but stops to look at the strangest things. ‘Dad, it’s only bamboo.’ It’s a new experience for him. I’ll definitely be looking out for them in the crowd.”

Nuku returned for the Black Ferns Sevens in their New York City triumph, and scored a try in their 46-5 group win against Great Britain. It was her 17th HSBC SVNS tournament appearance.

A product of Hamilton Girls’ High School, which has produced Black Ferns Sevens players Shiray Kaka, Tenika Willison, Terina Te Tamaki, and Jazmin Felix-Hotham, Nuku was first contracted in 2021 after a standout campaign at the Ignite Sevens in 2020.

She made her Black Ferns Sevens debut in Dubai in 2022 and scored her first try during the Cape Town Cup success a week later. New Zealand went on to win the 2022-23 SVNS Series, only to have its 41-game unbeaten streak halted in Dubai in December 2023. In July 2024, she helped the Black Ferns Sevens win Olympic gold in Paris.

New York was more about getting some rare game time and reacquainting herself with her role.

“It hasn’t changed that much, to be honest,” Nuku said. “I’m a voice and playmaker in the middle of the field. As a halfback or first receiver, my first job is to pass well or create an opportunity.

“I’m also a kicker for both restarts and drop goals. That’s a big responsibility because you can’t win the game without the ball. Conversions often make a difference in close games.

“I’m also part of the culture group that deals with haka, waiata, and inclusion. I’m passionate about the Maori language. I went to a full-immersion school and didn’t speak any English until I got to college. My brother is a Tomoko artist. In the Black Ferns Sevens, we have a couple of scrum and lineout moves in Te Reo.”

The Black Ferns Sevens culture is stronger than that of any other country at the moment. The defending Hong Kong champions stormed to the SVNS Series title, winning five of six tournaments.

This weekend, they’re grouped with Brazil, Japan, and Fiji in the expanded 12-team Grand Final field. The Black Ferns have recorded 72 wins and one draw against these teams combined.

“There are no easy games,” Nuku said. “We don’t take anyone lightly. It’s a big weekend. Hong Kong is a step up.”