Of the nine rookies named in Allan Bunting's first Black Ferns squad, none is a bigger win for rugby union than Katelyn Vaha'akolo.
Fresh from a maiden Super Rugby Aupiki campaign with the Blues, the 23-year-old has already worn the black jersey before - albeit in a different code as part of the Kiwi Ferns' 2022 Rugby League World Cup campaign.
Vaha'akolo's switch comes as a huge boon for rugby, at a time when New Zealand is losing top female players to rugby league and the NRLW.
"It's awesome," said Black Ferns director of rugby Allan Bunting. "There's something special about KV.
"She's obviously got some pretty amazing attributes. For me, the reason why I'm here is seeing the potential in people, and bringing that to life.
"For her to have the opportunity now to be in our programme to get the chance to work on her game and herself, and where she wants to go in life, is really cool.
"I'm excited about the next bit for her."
That excitement extends both ways.
For Vaha'akolo, the switch comes after finding her love for the 15-a-side code during last year's Black Ferns Rugby World Cup win.
And after taking the rugby union like a duck to water for the Blues in Super Rugby, Vaha'akolo isn't looking back.
"I just can't believe I'm really here to be honest," Vaha'akolo told Newshub. "It's definitely been a lot of hard work and sacrifice.
"I'm so excited and so happy to be on this journey. This is my dream, I could do this for the rest of my life and I'd be happy."
Black Ferns co-captain Kennedy Simon can't hide her delight at luring one of the country's brightest talents.
"She's an asset," said Simon. "She's such an incredible individual. She's outspoken, she's funny, she's a great rugby player.
"That's the type of people we want to grow and make sure they feel like they belong."
However, with such a bright future, Vaha'akolo concedes a return across the ditch could eventuate.
Already this year, the Black Ferns Sevens have lost high-profile names Tyla Nathan-Wong and Niall Guthrie to the NRLW.
And as the tug of war between codes continues, more players - Vaha'akolo included - could follow.
"In the future, I'd like to be part of the NRLW again," she added. "I think that's definitely something that was on my mind before this came up.
"But I'm just taking the opportunities as they come. I'm just going with the flow and enjoying the process."
