Another injury — an undiagnosed broken elbow — came to light at the start of what was to be a long and difficult recovery.
But McMenamin, now 32, was driven by her burning desire to return to the Black Ferns fold and play in a world cup on home soil.
“In my head that was my goal,” she told reporters last month.
“But I didn't want to put too much expectation on it because going from not ever being able to play again to just being back on the field, that's a massive achievement in itself.
“From there, I just ticked boxes and I must've ticked the right ones, because I'm here.”
The comeback journey for the 2017 world cup-winning forward and 2019 New Zealand women's player of the year was almost completed when she made the Ferns squad for the 2022 cup.
Almost. There was still the matter of the Everest-like challenge under head coach Wayne Smith of getting to the final and conquering the seemingly indestructible England team.
McMenamin was in hospital recovering from her surgery when the Black Ferns suffered a record 43-12 loss to England in New Zealand's 100th test.
It was the team's first test in two years and was part of a disastrous tour which led to an independent review and widespread changes to the women's game in New Zealand, including full-time professional contracts, the launch of Super Rugby Aupiki, resignation of Glenn Moore as Black Ferns coach and appointment of Smith as head coach.
McMenamin was not selected in the squad for the semifinal against France — Smith preferring Liaka Mikaele-Tu'u — but it was perhaps destiny when Mikaele-Tu'u was ruled out for the final with a thumb injury and McMenamin was promoted to the starting 15.
“I don't think she would have ever dreamed that she would be here after the spinal operation,” Smith said. “Just being able to play again, even at club level, was probably her dream.
“She's very smart, she loves the game and you've got to really be proud of her mental toughness to be able to come back and play at this level and perform well.”
And perform well McMenamin did.
The double international — she played rugby league for New Zealand — stepped up against a formidable England forward unit with a powerhouse performance before being replaced during the second half.
Proudly watching from the stands were her parents, family members and friends.
Mother Rochelle said it was “amazing” to see her daughter and the Black Ferns win two rugby worlds cups (2017, 2021).
In reference to the massive popularity of the Ferns in this campaign, Rochelle said: “We had to sit in our allocated seats for the first time ever instead of spreading out wherever you wanted to because of the size of the crowd.”
Rochelle, husband Bernard, daughters Bronya and Leah, partners and friends made up their support contingent.
“One of Charmaine's teachers at Te Hapara, Rachel Duckworth, also made the trip and wore her own designed T-shirt, hooded and sweatshirt, and had a big sign as well.”
The family left Gisborne at 5.45am, arrived at their accommodation at 2pm and 90 minutes later were on the train to Eden Park.
But that was just a small part of the journey for Charmaine and her whānau — a journey that several months ago few would have thought could have ended in such glory.
“At fulltime, we'd gone from a hospital bed a year ago with her spinal injury, full circle to winning the world cup,” Rochelle said.
“We were crying like babies.”
