Roosters' rehab sisters return for a shot at redemption

It’s fair to say that Tarryn Aiken and Taina Naividi might be that little more excited than the rest of their Roosters teammates as they build towards Sunday’s NRLW grand final against the Broncos. 

Both missed last year’s decider against the Broncos, struck down by the same injury – a torn ACL.

Aiken at halfback Naividi on the wing had 16 tries between them in 2025 but could play no part in the biggest game of the season. 

“Definitely career-wise it was the hardest time for me missing the finals and then the lengthy rehab as well,” said Aiken, the 2024 Golden Boot winner.

I’m a terrible watcher and was far more nervous watching than I ever have been playing

Aiken damaged her knee in the final round of the regular season, whereas Naividi played in the preliminary final win over the Sharks but then tore her ACL in the captain's run on the eve of the big one.

“I made sure I was around her on grand final day,” Aiken said as the two became rehab buddies. 

“Once we were in rehab together it was nice having her there so we could bounce off each other. 

“But it was obviously a tough week for me personally missing out on the finals and the grand final.” 

Naividi being a month behind Aiken in the recovery process meant she initially did several weeks on her own. 

“Towards the back end of our rehab we did train together, which was great,” Naividi said. 

“It was definitely good to have her around. I looked up to Tarryn a lot. 

“She was so resilient through the whole thing. She took every obstacle with both hands to overcome it – she was very inspiring to me. 

“I literally wanted to be like her in my process.” 

It wasn’t the first ACL for the Fijian international. She had a right knee reconstruction in late 2022 and then hurt her left in 2025. 

“I was off contract (with Eels) when I did my first ACL so I didn’t take it too seriously. We just lost our dad too so that was my first priority," she said.

“But with this rehab I knew I had to take it more seriously and I did.

“It’s so weird... I’m not really superstitious but even through my rehab I was conscious in talking with my physio that I didn’t want to have any PTSD about it. 

“Through the whole journey my physios were great – 'you’ve done the work, your knee is good'.

“So it’s not in my head now, I’m just excited.”