Aotearoa’s rugby community is mourning the passing of two-time Rugby World Cup champion Cheryl Waaka, with Louisa Wall paying an emotional tribute to her lifelong friend, teammate and one of the pioneers of women’s rugby in New Zealand.
Waaka, who represented the Black Ferns as player number 80, leaves a legacy extending far beyond the rugby field, having helped break barriers for women in sport while later becoming a passionate advocate for bowel cancer awareness and earlier screening.
Her death has prompted an outpouring of grief from those who played alongside her, those she coached and the wider rugby community.
Louisa Wall Remembers a Lifelong Friendship
Former Black Fern Louisa Wall has shared a deeply personal tribute to Waaka, reflecting on a friendship built through rugby, family connections and decades of shared experiences.
The pair were teammates, competitors and close friends whose fathers had encouraged their love of rugby from an early age.
Waaka played at centre while Wall played on the wing, although both competed for the same position at international level.
Wall remembers how their sporting rivalry strengthened their performances, with Waaka constantly challenging her to become a better player.
Their friendship extended well beyond rugby, with Wall serving as Waaka’s maid of honour at her wedding.
For Wall, the loss is not simply that of a former teammate, but of a treasured friend whose influence remained part of her life long after their playing careers ended.
Her tribute also acknowledged the generations of women who benefited from Waaka’s determination to challenge the barriers facing female rugby players.
A Two-Time World Cup Champion
Waaka was part of the generation of Black Ferns who helped establish New Zealand as a powerhouse in international women’s rugby.
As a two-time Rugby World Cup champion, she contributed to the foundations of a sporting legacy that continues to inspire young women across Aotearoa.
Her achievements came during an era when women’s rugby received considerably less recognition, investment and public attention than the men’s game.
Players often balanced their sporting commitments with employment, family responsibilities and the challenges of competing at the highest level without the professional structures available today.
Waaka’s contribution helped demonstrate the talent, determination and international competitiveness of New Zealand women’s rugby.
Beyond her playing career, she continued supporting the development of the sport through coaching and mentoring.
Her influence is reflected in the players she encouraged, the women she coached and the opportunities she helped create for future generations.
Turning a Cancer Diagnosis Into a Campaign for Change
In recent years, Waaka faced another formidable challenge after being diagnosed with stage four bowel cancer.
Despite the seriousness of her illness, she became an advocate for greater awareness of bowel cancer and the importance of earlier detection.
Waaka campaigned for bowel screening to begin at age 50, using her own experience to highlight the need for timely diagnosis and improved access to screening.
Her advocacy reflected a determination to help others avoid the difficulties she had experienced.
Wall has emphasised that this work deserves to continue beyond Waaka’s passing, recognising her efforts to turn a personal health crisis into a wider campaign for change.
The issue is particularly significant for Māori communities, where equitable access to cancer screening, early diagnosis and treatment remains an important public health priority.
Waaka’s campaigning adds to calls for health services to ensure people can access appropriate screening and care before cancers reach an advanced stage.
A Legacy Beyond Rugby
For those who knew her, Waaka’s achievements cannot be measured solely through international appearances, World Cup victories or coaching accomplishments.
Her legacy also rests in the friendships she maintained, the support she provided to others and her willingness to speak publicly about difficult issues.
Wall’s tribute acknowledged Waaka’s children, Wakaroa and Kahurangi, her brother Brett, her wider whānau and the many former teammates who shared her journey.
The loss will be deeply felt throughout the Black Ferns community, particularly among those who helped build women’s rugby into the internationally respected sport it has become.
Waaka’s contribution also serves as a reminder of the importance of preserving the stories of the women who competed long before professional contracts, major sponsorship arrangements and widespread media coverage became part of the game.
Their achievements laid the foundations for the opportunities available to today’s players.
Remembering a Champion
As tributes continue, Cheryl Waaka will be remembered as a Rugby World Cup champion, a dedicated coach, a determined advocate for change and a woman whose contribution reached far beyond sport.
For Louisa Wall, the memories are deeply personal: two young women brought together through rugby, pushed to become better players through competition and connected by a friendship that lasted a lifetime.
For the wider rugby community, Waaka’s legacy lives on through the players she inspired and the generations of women who continue to benefit from the barriers she helped break.
Her advocacy for earlier bowel cancer screening also leaves an important challenge for health leaders to consider.
Cheryl Waaka, Black Fern number 80, will be remembered not only for the championships she won, but for the lives she touched and the change she sought to achieve.
Moe mai rā e te rangatira. Haere atu rā ki ō tūpuna. Rest in peace, Cheryl Waaka.
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