Kiwi Fern Nora Maaka overcomes major knee surgery to play against the Jillaroos at Auckland Nines

Kiwi fern Nora Maaka pictured in action at last year's ANZAC match against the Australian Jillaroos.

Turangi schoolteacher and Kiwi Fern rugby league player Nora Maaka has never been a quitter.

The 28-year-old has played top level rugby league for years, despite ongoing injuries and an arthritic condition that led specialists to warn she could be in a wheelchair at the age of 55 if she continued to play the contact sport.

Her chances of making the Kiwi Ferns team for the NRL Auckland Nines for the third year in a row looked bleak after she underwent major knee surgery last year.

Six weeks into recovery Nora suffered a further setback when her other knee packed up, leaving her on crutches.

She opted for more surgery to remove a ball of cartilage at the back of her knee that was restricting movement.

Against all the odds and despite being written off by her coaches, Nora pushed hard following successful surgery.

That included a gruelling rehabilitation and leg strengthening programme and daily sessions at the local gym, in between teaching duties at Tongariro School during the final term last year.

She made the squad of 35 after attending a training camp just before Christmas, stunning selectors with her recovery, and gained selection to the 16-person team after the final trial on January 21.

A black eye during the trial threatened to jeopardise her selection due to a suspected eye socket fracture.

After a scan and an anxious wait she was finally given a clearance. Nora says making it into the Kiwi Ferns and wearing the black jersey again is a dream come true.

"I enjoy the game so much that the struggle is all worth it."

The all-round sportswoman started playing league at secondary school in Auckland.

She took a break from the sport after joining the army when she left school. Despite recurring injuries, she continued playing sport - including rugby.

"My knees gave me trouble but I just worked through the pain thinking it was normal."

She went back to rugby league after leaving the army, making the 2013 Kiwi Ferns team that went to the World Cup in England in 2013.

Further injury following the World Cup trip led to shoulder surgery which put her out of competition in 2014.

She took part in a charity boxing match as part of her recovery and bounced back, winning selection in 2015 and 2016 to the NRL Nines Tournament and the Kiwi Ferns ANZAC matches.

Part way through last year Nora and her partner made the shift from Auckland to Turangi for a lifestyle change.

On medical advice she also decided to have surgery on her left knee.

"My shoulders were perfect but you just know when something else isn't right."

She says fighting back to full health after the other knee gave out, requiring more surgery, was a huge challenge.

Nora says the grim prognosis for her arthritic condition gives her the motivation to keep up the rigorous fitness and training programme regime that keeps her strong.

Her goal is to make it through this weekend's NRL Auckland Nines tournament with a win, and gain selection to the Kiwi Ferns for the upcoming ANZAC clash with Australia.

She is also looking forward to starting a new teaching position at Kuratau School.

The Kiwi Ferns play the Australian Jillaroos in the best of a three test series at the NRL competition in Auckland this Saturday and Sunday.