Wallaroos scrum half Samantha Wood spent the year thinking her World Cup dream was over. Now, the Force scrum half has become a significant piece of their campaign.
Wood has rocketed into the starting role after a rollercoaster year for the Perth product.
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The 21-year-old made her debut for the Wallaroos in 2024 but injury derailed her chance of solidifying her spot.
Shoulder and back injuries ruled her out of the 2025 Super Rugby W season, leaving coach Jo Yapp to inform her that the odds were against her to make the World Cup.
“Jo was actually over in WA when I found out that I wouldn't be able to play Super [Rugby W] and she told me that odds were I wouldn't make World Cup,” Wood told the media.
“It wasn't really like her telling me I wasn't going to make it, but it was sort of like I just wanted to prove that I could do it as well.”
But Wood wasn't going to die wondering.
“Initially, we didn't actually know what the injury was, and my sights were looking like I would come back for the Super Rugby season and then still be able to come back, and I think that's why it was so tough because my return date kept getting pushed back and pushed back,” she explained.
“I think all of the up and downs I've had over the last six to nine months makes this much more enjoyable.”
The scrum half worked her way back into contention at club level before inspiring performances against Wales in their two-Test series, forcing Yapp’s hand to start the Kalamunda junior.
"I think I knew that I was really capable of performing the way that I wanted to, which I didn't in the previous matches, which really ate at me," she admits.
"That Wales game felt really good, and I don't think it was just me; the whole team came out firing."Outside of pushing for a Crocs sponsorship (the scrum half owns several pairs), Wood is focused on soaking in the World Cup experience.
“It was really special. I've always dreamed of going to a World Cup,” she said.
"To be able to run out there wearing the jersey, it was really, really special. Something I'll never forget.
“Everyone was just really energised for the first game of the World Cup so it felt really great.”
