Versatile forward Rosie White will be hoping lightning strikes twice when she runs out onto Westpac Stadium with the Football Ferns to face Japan on Sunday afternoon in Wellington.

On her last visit to the venue, White announced herself as a major future talent by bagging a hat-trick at the inaugural FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup in 2008. As tournament hosts, New Zealand defeated Colombia 3-1 in a match highly significant as the first time this country had ever won a game at a female FIFA event.

Then only 15-years-old, White was at the heart of that ground-breaking moment as her net-busting exploits fired New Zealand to one of the most memorable victories in the nation’s footballing history.

Now having just turned 25, the United States-based professional is aiming to repeat the feat on her return to Westpac Stadium a decade later.

“I have really fond memories of that night,” she recalls of that special match in 2008.

“That was the last time I played in Wellington so I’ll look to get that feeling again – that would be great.”

If White can get on the scoresheet again in another notable win, it would be a fairytale ending to a lengthy comeback from injury. Just a few months ago, the Aucklander could hardly walk after undergoing surgery on both feet and it’s been a long road back to full fitness.

During that time, she also found herself briefly without a club as the Boston Breakers bowed out of the National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL) after being dissolved.

“It’s definitely been an interesting year for me personally with being injured and then my team in Boston folding,” she admits.

“But I was picked up pretty quickly by another team in the States in the Chicago Red Stars and have been there for most of this year just continuing doing my rehab, I’ve gotten back to playing in the last month. So it’s definitely had its challenges and being injured is never fun but it feels really good to be back and healthy again.”

Having faced Japanese outfits on several occasions throughout her career, White knows what to expect from one of the finest teams on the planet.

“We’ve faced Japan a few times in the past and they’re a really talented side, they play really technical football so it’s always a challenge for us,” she says.

“But we’re coming in with a new strategy and we’ll do what we can to nullify what they’ve got.”

White has drawn inspiration from an unlikely source in recent months with Australia – traditionally New Zealand’s arch enemies in any sporting setting – sweeping all before them on their rise to sixth in the FIFA world rankings.

World-class Sam Kerr is the Matildas’ star striker and White has the privilege of playing alongside her as a team mate at the Red Stars in America’s top flight.

“Playing with Sam is amazing, she’s in the form of her life and it’s really fun to play with the best players in the world. Seeing the way Australia has taken strides over the last few years has been inspiring and gives us a bit of a push to keep going.”

Match Details

Football Ferns vs Japan
Westpac Stadium, Wellington
Sunday 10 June, 3pm
Tickets: Adults $15, children $5 (plus booking and credit card fees)
Tickets available through Ticketek by clicking here