She dusted off her boots to beat depression. Now this scrum mum is about to play for Australia

Many mums will enjoy a lovingly delivered cup of tea in bed for Mother’s Day on Sunday, but Sally Fuesaina’s kids might need to also bring an ice pack and go easy on the jump hugs.

At the age of 32, and just two years after she returned to rugby to help overcome postpartum depression, Fuesaina will make her debut for Australia on Saturday afternoon, when the Wallaroos take on Canada at Allianz Stadium.

Wallaroos player Sally Fuesaina with her two children, Athena, 6, and Luna, 4.

It will be a proud moment for Fuesaina, who grew up in Claymore in Sydney’s south-west, and her large family, who know just how much dedication and sacrifice it has taken for her to pull on the gold jersey.

To get to this point, Fuesaina spent up to 25 hours a week in the car this year, commuting between Sydney and Canberra to train and play in the front row for the Brumbies in the Super Rugby Women’s competition. And all while juggling her other jobs: as mum to Athena, 6, and Luna, 4, and as a disability support worker.

“I am grateful for my partner [Layne], because he was holding it down while I was away. But I come from a family of 11 as well, and I am also grateful because my siblings and my mum and dad also lent a big hand in raising the girls when I was away – taking them to school, picking them up from school – it was a big support system,” Fuesaina said.

Fuesaina says she is still a bit dazed after being named on the bench for Australia at Allianz Stadium, as part of the PAC4 tournament. A career in elite sport was never a goal when she was a young girl playing rugby league and union at school, especially when she stopped playing any sport for five years after graduation.

Sally Fuesaina runs for the Brumbies against NSW in the Super Rugby Women’s competition.

She returned to club rugby for Campbelltown in 2014 and made the NSW Country squad but the boots were hung up again with the arrivals of Athena and Luna. Four years on, however, Fuesaina was struggling, and turned to sport for help.

“I had a really bad postpartum-depression period with my second child, and I really needed and wanted to find a happy place where I could focus some energy and get my mental state right,” she said.

“I started going back to the gym and I knew footy would help me lose weight, too. So I went back and it helped me enormously. It really brought me out. When I was going through that time, I was really isolating myself away, and the team mentality made me be more social again and just to really connect with other people.”

Fuesaina began playing for the Western Sydney Two Blues in 2022, and a trial match was held for the Brumbies to scout recruits. They weren’t interested in her as a breakaway but her coach suggested she switch to prop.

Family scrum … the Fuesaina girls muck around at the Wallaroos’ hotel.

“It was scary. I just thought, ‘Be confident, there are people watching you, just use your strength’,” Fuesaina said.

The Brumbies selected her to join the squad in 2023. Initially, the commute wasn’t as tough, with just one full day of training a week. But this season, it changed to nightly training four days a week, and games on Saturday.

For many weeks, Fuesaina did the up-and-back every day, leaving home in the family car at 1pm and returning at 11pm. It required a complex logistical support system for pick-ups, school commitments and childcare.

“This year was really difficult,” she said. “I thought about it every week when I would be away from them [Athena and Luna] – why am I still doing this?”

All the sacrifice felt worthwhile when Fuesaina’s name was included in the first team of new Wallaroos coach Jo Yapp, who has been recruited from England to turn the world No.5 side into a World Cup contender next year, and for the 2029 World Cup in Australia.

She knows her little family, and her big family, will be proud but Fuesaina is hoping her story inspires other mothers, too; particularly those who are struggling.

“I also wanted to put that message out for mums that they can still chase their dreams,” she said. “It’s never too late.”

So after a Saturday afternoon spent crashing into Canadians in scrums, what will the kids bring on Sunday morning? Tea, ice packs – or both?

“They will probably bring me chocolate,” Fuesaina laughed. “I’ll take that.”

If you or anyone you know needs help, call SANE on 1800 187 263 (and see sane.org), Lifeline on 13 11 14 (and see lifeline.org.au) or Beyond Blue on 1300 22 4636 (and see beyondblue.org.au).

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