Brooker was called into the Black Ferns squad for the three-test series against France, which begins in Hamilton on Saturday before tests in Whangārei and Christchurch in the following weeks. Her recall – three years after her last test – comes after Alena Saili and Maia Davis were released back to the sevens programme.
“I had a fair bit of feedback throughout the season. A lot around just honing in on my superpowers and having the confidence in my game, knowing that I am playing good rugby and have got the ability to grow,” Brooker told the Herald.
“I think, specifically, getting better with my catch-pass and more dominant in my carries has been a big thing, and I was really happy with the outcome of that in the Super season. But I know I’ve got a long way to go, even to put the black jersey on. It’s one thing to be called into camp, but it’s another thing to run out with the team.”
The call-up is vindication for her decision to return to the New Zealand rugby scene and suit up for Matatū again, leaving the AFLW after one season.
It wasn’t the way she expected things to play out when she took up the contract in Australia, and admitted it was a tough decision to make.
“It was a bit of an unknown coming home and where I was going to take it,” she admits.
“I came home to be unemployed for four months until Super Rugby started. So, it was a big step, but being here, being in the camp is definitely a validation to that decision and I know that I’ve made the right one.”
Joining the Black Ferns squad for the French series, Brooker knew she had to play catch-up as she was joining a team that had largely been working together for the best part of the year.
“I was really nervous coming in,” she said.
“Obviously, the girls have been together for the last few weeks and, you know, I’m behind on content and relationships within the team and whatnot. So, I was so nervous. But as soon as I walked through the doors and everyone gave me a big hug and made me feel right back into it.
“Everyone’s offering up their time to help me get up to speed with everything, and the kindness and the care and the professionalism within the team now compared to where it has been, I think has grown exponentially. It’s a real high-performance team, and you can see it in the results that they’ve got over the last few tours.”
Brooker joins a midfield group featuring regular Black Ferns starters Logo-I-Pulotu Lemapu Atai’i Sylvia Brunt and Matatū teammate Amy du Plessis, while versatile back Justine McGregor was also named among the midfield options.
And while she was a newcomer to the squad, Brooker was taking her place with intention.
“I honestly think I can bring a good challenge. I’m going to put my hand up and try to get selected for games, and that’s ultimately what I’m here to do,” she said.
“But you learn a lot when you’re in camp because you’re surrounded by such amazing coaches, such amazing players, that every second you’re here, you’re learning and you’re growing. So, I think that’s a big part of my journey now, is to get back to the level of knowledge that the girls have these days.”
Christopher Reive joined the Herald sports team in 2017, bringing the same versatility to his coverage as he does to his sports viewing habits.