Waaka scored a try in the 2002 final against England as the Black Ferns won 19-9 to successfully defend their world title.
But her legacy extended well beyond the international stage, as she broke coaching barriers and created opportunities for the next generation of female players.
In 2005, she became the first woman to coach a Northland senior men’s club rugby team when she took the reins at Kaikohe.
She worked for Sport Northland, a regional sports trust funding projects, updating facilities and supporting athletics.
Cheryl Waaka at Lindvart Park, Kaikohe. Photo / Debbie Beadle
In 2019, she was the first coach, alongside fellow Black Fern Susan Dawson, of the Northland women’s team in the Farah Palmer Cup. They reached the Championship semi-finals.
The following year, Northland won four matches out of six and narrowly missed the semi-finals in the fiercely competitive Northern division.
Waaka’s contribution to the game was recognised nationally when she was appointed a Member of the New Zealand Order of Merit (MNZM) for services to rugby in the 2023 New Year Honours.
In 2024, she was named in Northland Rugby’s Women’s Team of the Century, before being inducted as a Northland Legend of Sport in 2025.
In a statement announcing her passing, Northland Rugby described Waaka as a “much-loved colleague, friend, rugby legend and wāhine toa”.
“Cheryl was more than a remarkable rugby player. She was a trailblazer, a mentor, a champion for women’s rugby and someone whose contribution to our game, our people and our province will be felt for generations,” the union said.
“Cheryl, you wore the black jersey with pride, represented the North with mana and gave so much of yourself to the game you loved.
“Your impact will live on in every young girl who pulls on a rugby jersey, every woman who finds her place in the game and every opportunity created because you believed it was possible.”
Kaikohe Rugby Football and Sports Club also paid tribute to Waaka, describing her as a special woman who gave so much to the club, its players and the wider rugby whānau.
“She was so much more than our patron and our club president for many years – she was the heart and soul of our club and our friend,” the club wrote on its Facebook page.
“Her love for the game extended far beyond her own playing days, as she went on to coach numerous teams throughout the years, sharing her knowledge, experience, and passion with generations of players.
“Her passion, dedication, leadership, and unwavering commitment to not only rugby, but to our wider community, have left a legacy that will never be forgotten.”
Ben Francis is an Auckland-based reporter for the New Zealand Herald who covers breaking sports news.