They did not know how to journey with me: Exploring Rugby Union injury experiences among wāhine in Aotearoa, New Zealand

Author: Tahlia Strachan

Supervisors: Phil Handcock Codi Ramsey

---

11 September 2025

Strachan, T. (2025). They did not know how to journey with me: Exploring Rugby Union injury experiences among wāhine in Aotearoa, New Zealand [Master's thesis, Otago Polytechnic]. Research Bank. https://doi.org/10.34074/thes.7003

 

Abstract

Injuries are a significant part of sport, with almost every athlete experiencing one throughout their sporting career. Yet, the personal responses to injury and rehabilitation experiences of Wāhine rugby union players have received minimal attention. Rehabilitation is not a “one size fits all” process. This research aimed to provide an understanding of the experiences of injured female rugby union players in Aotearoa (New Zealand), using an authentic semi-structured lens guided by grounded theory to recount their lived experiences of injury and recovery. A mixed methods approach was adopted. An online survey was sent to Farah Palmer Cup players to explore injury history, return-to-play (RTP) outcomes, and emotional responses. Findings (n=50) showed that while most players returned to play within expected timeframes, many did so lacking confidence and with ongoing reinjury anxiety. Māori and Pasifika athletes reported a higher injury burden, suggesting cultural disparities in injury experience and access to support. Guided by Te Whare Tapa Whā, semi-structured interviews (n=5) were conducted to deepen this understanding. Thematic analysis revealed five interrelated key themes: rugby’s ingrained ‘toughness’ culture, unclear RTP pathways, emotional and social isolation, identity loss and grief, and the process of “pivoting” beyond and out of rugby. Participants described feeling sidelined, both physically and emotionally, during recovery, with support systems often under-resourced or significantly absent. This research highlights the need for holistic, culturally responsive rehabilitation frameworks that recognise the complexity of recovery. These findings contribute critical insights into the challenges faced by women in rugby and aim to advocate for more athlete-centred, inclusive, and equitable approaches to injury management in sport.

 

Keywords

rugby, wāhine, injury, rehabilitation, culture, identity

 

Licence

A copy of the thesis is publicly available under a Creative Commons Attribution Non-Commercial No Derivatives licence CC BY-NC-ND 4.0 International license

                   

This licence applies except where otherwise indicated, especially for images.