In just two weeks Allana Sikimeti went from making her Super Rugby Women's debut to cementing herself in the Safeguard Global ACT Brumbies starting side, but her journey to the heights of Australian rugby was far from an easy one.
Sikimeti's path from struggles for selection in Queensland to an integral teammate in the ACT serves as a culmination of her ability to overcome and conquer any obstacle presented to her.
Hailing from a working-class family in Brisbane her father worked FIFO while her mother spent her days in aged care; a profession Allana has taken up herself outside of rugby since moving to Canberra.
As a key driver in her rugby career, Allana describes that having her father work in FIFO presented plenty of challenges growing up, forcing the prop to often take public transport to her matches when her old man was unavailable.
However, now on the big stage of women's rugby Sikimeti's father never has to miss a match again, with the mentor ready to give advice after every match over the phone, looking to rival coach Scott Fava's expertise.
"It's still always a talk before the game and after the game, after Round 1 he just sent me clips on where I need to improve," She laughed.
With family a huge motivator, also motivating her career the prop has taken up her first opportunity in aged care work following in her mother's footsteps.
A carer by nature, Sikimeti is loving her new gig in aged care before she aims to launch into a new type of work later in life.
"I just love working with people and getting to see their perspective on life, but I'll probably aim to get into youth work later on," said the prop.
However, for now she gets to enjoy the culmination of her hard work as she makes a name for herself at the Brumbies.
Making her competition debut in Round 1 against the NSW Waratahs, Sikimeti says she was overwhelmed upon receiving the news that she would be entering the Super Rugby Women's competition.
"I had it coming for so many years and it finally happened, I can't describe the feeling I had in my stomach and my heart it was just so warm. I've never experienced that feeling before," said Sikimeti.
"I've really been putting in the work and doing all the extras, and I feel like with starting now it feels like I'm finally being recognised."
Before joining the Brumbies, Sikimeti was in the Queensland Reds systems for multiple years however, much to her frustration was never given an opportunity to debut, that is until Scott Fava came calling.
"I was never looked at properly to debut, then Scott gave me a call and straight away I told him I'd definitely move for the opportunity with the Brumbies."
