Short Story- Kenzie Apps
It was the moment that robbed her of an All Stars appearance and a spot in the Jillaroos side to take on the Kiwi Ferns for the Anzac Test, and star back-rower Kezie Apps has opened up about the tough times she endured as she recovered from a broken leg suffered in this year's Auckland Nines.
Kenzie Apps and her jillaroos side managed to sweep the enemy from across the ditch but due to an injury in the second game resulting in Kenzie suffering a severe injury of cracking her left fibula and tearing ligaments in her ankle.
Apps is now fully recovered and ready to return to the field, although she missed many important games she is inspired to play in she is even more determined to overcome her injury. The inspiring back-rower made played in the series against the ferns and had an impressive game in the first encounter but went down in game 2 after an awkward tackle forcing her from the field. Kenzie made an appearance at game 3 but only on the sidelines restricted to a moon boot.
After the game we saw an emotional yet ecstatic Kenzie Apps celebrate with her Jillaroos squad after a series win. This is truly a story of overcoming adversity and showing courage to fight back, a true footy fight back.
Here are a few things Kenzie had to say about her story.
"The pain was insane and I heard a pop. I didn't know that I'd done ligaments at the time; I just thought the pop was my break and I knew not to put any pressure on it," she said.
"A lot of friends and family were messaging me that they didn't know how bad it was because when I was getting carried off the field, all I was doing laughing. At that stage, I'm pretty sure I was just in shock and my body's natural pain relief had kicked in. I was too busy worrying about them picking me up and saying 'don't I'm too heavy!' so I started laughing.
"My friends and family all thought I'd sprained my ankle, but if that was the case then I would have stayed out there."
"Every time I was running or doing a gym session, I was trying not to focus on my leg. I was trying to get my symmetry right and not favour one leg or limp around," she said.
"Even though it might have hurt a little bit more, I was trying to push off both legs because the more I do it in training, the better it will be for me on the field."
By Scobie Jenkins