Piper Duck: The epic fight for the Rugby World Cup after injuries

Piper Duck: The Rugby Warrior Who Overcame Adversity to Reach the World Cup

The story of Piper Duck is a tale of tenacity and perseverance. The rugby player, after suffering a shoulder injury in March, heard the words that seemed to sentence her participation in the Women’s World Cup. Duck’s recovery was a long and exhausting road, marked by a series of injuries that tested his spirit. The last one, suffered while playing for the New South Wales Waratahs, seemed to have snatched away his World Cup dream. The 24-year-old had already overcome a foot injury in 2023, which prevented her from captaining her team, and missed the Wallaroos’ tour of Ireland and Wales, as well as the WXV2 tournament due to ankle surgery. To be able to play in 2025, he received cortisone injections in both shoulders.

“One of the first conversations I had with the doctor was that you wouldn’t play in the World Cup. It was one of my first conversations,”

Duck

Faced with adversity, Duck opted for intensive rehabilitation, seeking selection for the final test matches in July.

After hard work, Duck strived to the fullest, determined to wear the Wallaroos jersey in the World Cup. Twelve weeks later, she played for the Australia A team against Samoa, and then participated in the matches against New Zealand and Wales, as well as starting in the farewell match in Sydney. Due to her numerous injuries, Duck uses protective tapes. In addition to physical recovery, the player also had to work on the mental aspect.

“I spoke with a sports psychologist,” Duck said. “I knew my mental block was going to be because of the way I had been injured.”

Duck

Duck overcame the doubts and prepared for the challenge. In training, he made sure to face the strongest players, demonstrating his ability to compete at the highest level. After missing five matches, including four trials with the Wallaroos, Duck’s call-up for the World Cup was even more special. The news of her selection was received with joy by the whole team.

“Honestly, I was euphoric,” Duck said. “I think I screamed when I found out I was going to the World Cup.”

Duck

Duck is now preparing for the Wallaroos’ first match against Samoa, hoping to reach the quarter-finals. The team is confident of securing an initial victory to secure their place in the next phase.