Duck defies injuries and makes it to the Rugby World Cup: Epic story!

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

The initial words that Piper Duck heard after injuring her shoulder in March were a hard blow: “You won’t play in the World Cup.” This phrase marked the beginning of a difficult path for the Australian national rugby player, who faced multiple injuries in the last two years. The athlete suffered a series of injuries that threatened to keep her out of the tournament. A shoulder injury during a match with the New South Wales Waratahs, followed by a torn AC ligament, put her participation in the World Cup in doubt. The situation was a blow for the 24-year-old, who had already overcome a foot injury in 2023, which prevented her from being captain of her team. In addition, she missed the Wallaroos’ tour of Ireland and Wales and the WXV2 tournament due to ankle surgery. To be able to play in 2025, Duck was undergoing cortisone injections in both shoulders.

One of the first conversations I had with the doctor was that I wouldn’t play in the World Cup. It was very shocking to hear that at that moment.

Piper Duck

However, Duck didn’t give up easily. After consulting surgeons and the team doctor, he made a decision: undergo surgery and miss the World Cup, or undergo intensive rehabilitation and fight for selection in the test matches in July.

Duck opted for rehabilitation. “I had already made the decision in two days to be conservative and two days later I was in the gym. I didn’t know what I was doing, but I was there because I had a very tight deadline to return,” she stated. With limited time, Duck strived to the maximum, determined to wear the Wallaroos jersey in the final World Cup trials. Twelve weeks later, she played with the Australia A team against Samoa, and then participated in the matches against New Zealand and Wales, and was a starter in the last match in Sydney. The player uses bandages on almost her entire body when she goes out on the field, with protections on both shoulders. Duck knew that she also had to overcome the mental part of the recovery.

I spoke with a sports psychologist. I knew my mental block was going to be the contact, because that’s how I got injured.

Piper Duck

After missing five matches, Duck wasn’t sure she’d be able to go to the World Cup, which made her second call-up even more special.

Duck, upon being selected, expressed her joy. “I got very excited,” she said. “After the injuries and everything I’ve been through, it was a surreal moment. Having the opportunity to attend my second World Cup is absolutely incredible, and after the injuries I’ve had in the last two and a half years, it’s a very special feeling.” Duck prepares for the Wallaroos’ first match against Samoa, hoping to reach the World Cup quarter-finals. A win in the first match and a good performance against the United States in the second group match would secure their qualification for the next phase.