Rugby: Oval ball star to become quadruple international

Kristina Sue playing for the New Zealand Ferns during the 2016 Auckland Nines. Photo / Getty

Kristina Sue will join the sparse, but special, ranks of quadruple internationals when she enters the fray tomorrow night at Eden Park.

The Blacks Ferns reserve halfback will replace 2015 World Rugby player of the year Kendra Cocksedge some time into the second spell, all going according to plan, against the Wallaroos.

For the 29-year-old from Palmerston North, it will represent the culmination of a long journey that started with her provincial debut for the Manawatu Cyclones a decade ago. Since then, she has racked up nearly 50 provincial caps, played touch, league (Kiwi Ferns) and sevens for New Zealand, the latter in two tournaments back in 2013.

But Sue has always been ranked behind Cocksedge and Emma Jensen, until now. It looks like the veteran Aucklander Jensen, will be stranded on 49 tests, as her international time draws to a close.

"It was definitely a patience and waiting game. I had dinner with Elmo (Cocksedge) last night and she's been in the team for 10 years and is only a year younger than me! That's how long I've been behind her. EJ has been a legend of the game, so it was difficult to get that first or second string spot. I've done other things over the time but I do have the experience to hold my own," says Sue.

She was happy with her consistent form for the Cyclones, though they missed the Farah Palmer Cup semifinals. Now she cannot wait to debut for the Black Ferns.

"I'm really excited about it and I cannot wait to make the most of the opportunity."

Sue's day job is as head of PE at Whanganui Girls' College. She used to live in Whanganui, but is now based 50 minutes' away in Palmerston North. That commute doesn't worry her. After all, she quips that some of her teammates based in Auckland travel at least that long in peak hour traffic!

So what will Sue bring to the Black Ferns after the heady, resourceful halfback play of Cocksedge?

"Some might say I have a big mouth and talk a lot. But speed is a strength and I do like to have a snipe now and again around the ruck," says Sue. "I'm expecting some good, quick ball with the pack we have."

Black Ferns coach Glenn Moore likes her work.

"First and foremost, she's very professional in how she goes about her work. She had a big Farah Palmer Cup, was pretty consistent throughout, and she's quite dynamic with her running game. She offers something a bit different from the other halfbacks around. That's exciting," Moore says.

As for the Wallaroos, Sue is not taking them lightly, even though the Black Ferns enter their first test in 15 months as almost unbackable favourites against a team to whom they have never tasted defeat.

"I guess there's always that rivalry against the Australians. Whatever team they field, and I'm told they have 12 newbies, they'll still be strong."

All going well, she'll be on tour next month and then right in the mix for the Women's Rugby World Cup in Ireland next August.