World Cup memories- Toka Natua: 'I just wanted to make my whanau proud'

Toka Natua had one goal at the 2017 Rugby World Cup: to be recognised by her team as the player of the match. By the semi-final, the prop had not achieved that ambition and admitted to feeling homesick.

“I’d look up during the national anthem and visualise my family being there. Of course, they weren’t; they couldn’t afford it,” Natua told RugbyPass. “Ireland is a long way from Tokoroa, and I’m a homely person. I just wanted to make my whanau proud and feel their love.”

The entire nation of New Zealand fell in love with Natua after her stunning hat trick in the 41-32 victory over England in the final. The Guardian described her performance as “irrepressible,” with her three tries coming within 20 minutes in the second half after New Zealand had trailed by seven at halftime.

“We noticed that England weren’t committing great numbers to the ruck and that there was space up the middle. We decided to take them on through the centre, and that suited me,” Natua reflected.

“I broke through the line shortly after the kickoff, which boosted my confidence, but they got their first penalty because of me and then a penalty try from a scrum because of me, so I owed it to the team to do something.”

Her third try, where she burst 20 meters, was particularly memorable. After being partially tackled, she rose again to drive over the line. Retaining the ball in an isolated position was something she had practised.

“I was taught by my dad in high school how to retain the ball after falling over when you’re on your own. The night before the final, I watched a clip of myself doing something similar for Waikato and thought it would be a good trick to use in the final.”

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Natua had only scored two tries in her previous 15 internationals, both against Australia in a 2016 29-3 win at North Harbour Stadium and again in a 44-17 victory in Christchurch in 2017. She joined fellow prop Aldora Itunu in scoring a World Cup hat trick but struggled to handle the notoriety that followed.

“I was in the local Warehouse when it was announced on the intercom that I was in the store. I was happy to pose for pictures and sign autographs, but nobody asked me. I ended up walking out. It was crazy. Thankfully, nothing like that has happened since.”

After struggling through 2018 with a hamstring injury, Natua regained her place in the Black Ferns in 2019, helping the side win the Super Series against France, England, and Canada. She played the last of her 22 Tests (with 20 wins) in a 37-8 defeat of Australia in 2019.

The Forrest View High School graduate first burst onto the scene with Waikato in the 2014 Farah Palmer Cup, helping the Mooloos reach the final when Hamilton was just a one-club town. Today, there are six premier clubs, and in the last decade, there have been as many as ten.

She has played 49 games (with 31 wins) for Waikato, with an undoubted highlight being last year’s 27-25 victory over Canterbury in the Premiership final.

“That was a crazy game; it’s always so close against Canterbury. Our fullback had to play halfback. They scored, we scored; it was one of those games that was tight the entire time. Maybe the pressure got to us a little. We had beaten Auckland by a record score in the semi-final, while Canterbury really brought their best.”

Waikato came out strong, setting the tempo early with their physicality, especially in the forward pack. Their dominance in the scrum and at the breakdown was apparent as they jumped to a 10-0 lead thanks to a try by powerhouse prop Veisana Maturiki-Fakalelu.

Canterbury rallied, and by the 47th minute, they led 22-17 when Riko Yoshida claimed a crosskick by Terauoriwa Gapper. The Japanese winger, the shortest player on the field, soared the highest. Waikato regrouped and, thanks to five successful kicks from Kaea Neipa and a 58th-minute try by former Black Ferns hooker Grace Houpapa-Barrett, emerged victorious.

Nauta has played a significant role in the development of new Black Fern, Veisana Maturiki-Fakalelu. “I’m so proud of her; everything she’s achieved after losing both parents is amazing. I can’t take much credit – she’s an absolute beast on the field.”

With players like Natua, Houpapa-Barrett, Chyna Hopepa, Rina Parone, and Ashley Gabby Sutherland returning, Waikato has a strong foundation for another title bid.

In a full-circle moment, Reuben Samuel is back to coach Waikato, taking over from James Semple. Samuel, the former Waikato Rugby Women’s Development Officer, was the coach of the revived Waikato FPC team in 2012. In 2015, he assisted the Black Ferns during their unbeaten season, and then coached the Brazilian women’s sevens team from 2016 to 2020. Samuel is the architect of Waikato’s famous Dubs culture.

“The Dubs culture started in 2012. We were walking along Marine Parade before our first game against Hawke’s Bay and decided to get a photo. We formed a ‘W’ shape and shouted out ‘Dubs,’ and it stuck,” Samuel reflected.

“Dubs is about being part of something bigger than yourself. While we can’t promise professional contracts, we can create a nurturing environment that helps women develop as players and individuals. The successes of Honey Hireme-Smiler, Chelsea Semple, and Les Elder demonstrate that you can achieve your goals by investing in something greater than yourself.

“My role is to cultivate players and coaches who will help grow the game and, by extension, the community.”

The Waikato Rugby community is richer with Natua’s presence, and she laughed that she’s practising her whitebaiting just in case she’s required for another World Cup Final.