After the upset of missing out on Commonwealth Games sevens gold, serial winner Tyla Nathan-Wong is grateful for the chance to shift her focus towards the 15-a-side game for a potential Black Ferns debut.
Nathan-Wong, 28, was part of the all-conquering Black Ferns Sevens side of recent years, winning Olympic gold, Commonwealth gold, the Rugby World Cup Sevens, and multiple World Sevens Series titles.
But in a shock result in Birmingham, New Zealand were handed a semi-final defeat by eventual champions Australia, before bouncing back to win bronze against Fiji in the playoff for third.
As the Black Ferns build towards the Women's Rugby World Cup in New Zealand later this year, Nathan-Wong has been included in director of rugby Wayne Smith's plans, and can debut from the bench in Saturday's O'Reilly Cup opener against Australia in Christchurch.
For Nathan-Wong herself though, being welcomed into the Black Ferns' environment has made the upset of Birmingham more stomachable, allowing her to quickly put that disappointment behind her.
"I think that everyone saw we were quite shattered with how that went," Nathan-Wong said. "We didn't play our best.
"It was awesome to be able to come into this camp with these girls, and have something to look forward to.
"For me, it's just about taking the moments I can. Train today, captain's run, the test. [The] World Cup is there, but that's not my main focus at the moment.
"I know these girls are super excited, they've been working towards that for ages.
"If I do get the opportunity to be in that squad for [the] World Cup, it'll be an absolute blessing."
Nathan-Wong is one of two debutants, along with forward Awhina Tangen-Wainohu, for Saturday's first test.
And experiencing her first test week as a Black Fern's delight at being named was obvious, and thanked her new teammates for the welcome she's been given.
"It's so exciting," Nathan-Wong added. "All the girls have been so, so supportive in helping me along this way.
"I just can't wait to get out there in training today, smash it out, captain's run tomorrow.
"I don't think it will really sink in until I get to pull that jersey, step out there on the field, sing the anthem and do the haka with these girls - I've been practising."
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