Lucy Lockhart has tapped the brains of other "rugby mums", outlining her plan to play in October's Rugby World Cup for the Wallaroos less than six months after the birth of her first child.
The Queensland Reds vice-captain, initially forced home from a rugby stint in England due to COVID-19, was on Wednesday crowned last season's Super W player of the year.
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With her baby due in April, Lockhart will miss the Reds' 2022 campaign but has remained part of the Wallaroos squad and is desperate to feature in New Zealand's showpiece event.
"My goal is to be ready for selection in October," the No.8 said.
"That gives me about five-and-a-half months to be ready, physically and mentally.
"I've been speaking to a lot of rugby mums, or mum athletes, about their return to play.
"You have to think about it physically, but also mentally because you are away from the baby.
"This is my first. I'm really just learning the ropes and winging it.
"We'll see how we go. I've got that goal but my No.1 priority will be bub."
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The Wallaroos have been starved of Test experience since COVID-19 hit, looking to fast-track their preparations with a series of matches before the showcase event in October.
They entered camp last month under new coach Jay Tregonning, who took control last year, with Lockhart impressed with his methods after attitude as she kept a close eye over the action.
“The coaches are really good, Jay’s (Tregonning) lovely,” she added on the new additions.
(Training drills are) Short and sharp which is really good for a coach which I think it’s good, a lot of coaches like to overtake and it takes it away from the drill but the camp we just had they had certain times to finish the drill and it is with intention and build with purpose.
“It’s all high speed, high tempo and the girls were just smashing it, especially in the Gold Coast heat. I definitely felt from doing two sessions a day…we’ve kept up the tempo all session which is good to see.”
