Injury sidelines Sarah after stunning rugby season

Tapawera teenager Sarah Jones was hoping to be attending a New Zealand U20 rugby training camp in Wellington this weekend.

Instead, the 18-year-old has been struck down by a tibia injury for the second year running and is rehabbing at her parents’ lifestyle block.

The openside flanker continued her outstanding Farah Palmer Cup form into the second-tier championship final last month.

Her charging runs had led to two tries for the Otago Spirit against the Northland Kauri at Tahuna Park in Dunedin. She then powered through two defenders to score herself in the 70th minute, as her side raced to a 37-5 lead.

“It was probably one of my better games of the season,” says Sarah. But then five minutes later, after turning to move back into position, she suddenly crumpled to the ground.

“I had fractured my femur and bruised my tibia in my right leg. I will be out of action for two to three months, but it is not too serious,” insists the former Tasman Women utility back, who is on crutches with a bandaged knee.

“I fractured my tibia in pre-season for Matatū last year so I kind of know what I am dealing with. That one took ages to rehab.”

It was a cruel way to end her breakout season for Otago which was also highlighted by her two-try performance against her former FPC side in the 48-15 romp at Trafalgar Park in August.

She even kicked the final conversion that night, reinforcing her all-round skills.
“I loved it down south. I wasn’t planning to stay but I kept getting asked to and now 100% I want to return there next year.”

Sarah was working on a farm north of Oamaru and faced a return drive of up to four hours for training in Dunedin.

She had also established herself as a professional rugby coach offering 1-1 training, or for small groups and online mentoring.

The loose forward, who still possesses a step that many backs would envy, was always planning to come back home at the end of the season.

“I wanted a wee bit of a catch-up with everyone and sort out what I want to do next year. No super rugby contracts are out yet but hopefully I will be back in Christchurch for Matatū as I don’t really want to have to switch teams. The coaching group was awesome, and everyone helped me grow in my position,” says Sarah, who scored six tries in seven FPC games this year.