Black Ferns winger Katelyn Vaha'akolo is a big personality with big goals, and she isn't afraid to share her aspirations.
"I want to be the best winger in the world, 100%, and I will be," she told 1News.
While the 24-year-old backs herself, it hasn't always been that way. On the surface it was instant success, scoring five tries in her debut Black Ferns season and awarded World Rugby Breakthrough Player of the Year.
But Vaha'akolo's confidence was at an all time low.
"I was given so much support and so many people believed in me, but it was just myself. I really struggled to lift myself up. So that's been a journey for me this year."
A former league player for Newcastle and the Kiwi Ferns, it took Vaha'akolo time to transition to rugby. Getting down on herself was detrimental to both her game and mental health.
"Understanding rugby has been a big work on for me. I just worked really hard over preseason, repetition has really helped me."
Scoring tries seems to be a constant for Vaha'akolo too. Topping this year's Super Rugby Aupiki charts with eight tries.
Confidence, along with hard work taking her game to another level.
Her Blues and Black Ferns team mate, lock Maiakawanakaulani Roos said Vaha'akolo is the hardest worker in the room.
"You'll see her doing passes in the morning, sitting on her laptop doing analysis. She wants to be the best and she works like the best."
Coach Allan Bunting agreed.
"She's really gifted but works hard. When you have a combination of those two, she's only just getting started. The future is pretty bright for her."
While Vaha'akolo has a big future ahead, she stays grounded. She has many tattoos, her favourite being her surname on her neck.
"It's probably a bit cliche but having my family name with me everywhere I go is something I hold really special to my heart."
Vaha'akolo will start on the left wing in tomorrow's Pacific Four test against the USA. Kick off in Hamilton is at 2:05pm.
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