Motherhood and maturity
Now settled with her partner and son Oliver, Packer’s relationship with the game has shifted. Instead of the added pressure of motherhood alongside a professional rugby career, the distraction provides welcome relief.
“It’s probably most affected my nervous energy, like: “Have I done enough training? Is my nutrition right? Did I do enough in the gym?”. I used to worry about that sort of stuff when I came away from training, but now that I’ve got Oliver, he gives me that switch. When I’m with him, he’s a handful and it’s constant.”
“There’s no time to dwell on anything, which has massively helped me. Like on the morning of a league game, I get up with him, we go and have breakfast together and we play a lot together. Then I get ready to leave and I don’t really have time to think about the game until I’m either at Sarries or in the car.”
Marlie and Oliver in post-match interview mode
Given the quality of Marlie Packer’s performances in 2014 and 2017, it’s phenomenal to watch her still improving several years on. She picked up two Player of the Match awards during the 2022 TikTok Women’s Six Nations and again for her club Saracens in the Allianz Premier 15s 21/22 season final. So, what drives her?
“I just love winning. If there's a 50-50 ball, I want to make it mine. I will put my body on the line for my teammates and I know they’ll do exactly the same for me. It’s that edge in rugby.”
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I’VE ALWAYS HAD THE MOTTO – LEARN FROM YOUR MISTAKES. I THINK FOR ME, I WEAR THEM AS SCARS AND LESSONS
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I feel like the way I play and the way I am now around the squad is very different to 2014
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Contrastingly, England’s longest pre-season camp at the Honda England Rugby Performance Centre will have given Packer plenty of time to consider what is ahead for the number-one ranked women’s rugby side in the world. It has also given her time to consider her own role.
“I'm now a senior player, and regarding the off-field stuff I’m part of the strategy group where we look at game plans, how we’re going to play against different teams, the mood of the squad and whether we are getting what we want out of training – that kind of stuff.
“So, I feel like the way I play and the way I am now around the squad is very different to 2014, which I never thought would be the case. Now, it’s not just about trying to be at the top of my game, but also pushing the younger players through to be the best that they can be.”
Having lost the final in 2017, motivation will not be in short supply in the bid to bring home the trophy. Not only will Packer have 31 other teammates committing to the cause, but family members will also make the trip.
“My mum, my grandad and my brother are all coming out to New Zealand. My grandad for me is my father figure, he’s always been there. He watches every England game. He always tries to be there, or he watches on TV. He’ll watch a game and then I’ll get a call at midday the next day saying he’s watched it back this morning and he thought this, and he thought that. So, I get analysis! My mum’s the same but a bit more biased because I’m her daughter.”
The power of that travelling support will be invaluable at a tournament on the other side of the world where the Red Roses will anticipate spending seven weeks together in their bid to regain the world crown.
“Does aspiring to win it in New Zealand add a little bit of spice to it? Yes, of course it does. Wouldn’t it be great to win over in New Zealand in their backyard? But, you know, we’ll take each game as it comes.”
It’s the mantra that we often hear from sports people, but from Marlie Packer, you know that her focus is simply on committing everything to the next job – whether that’s geeing up her newest teammate or rampaging to score another try while wearing the Red Rose. She is devoted to giving everything she can to the game that has given her so much.
“Rugby’s given me a life that I never believed I’d be able to have – to see and to have friends all over the world. I don’t want to just inspire my own son, but any young boy or girl, even older people, I just want them to go and get involved with rugby.”
The power of family and inspiring a nation
The Telegraph and Honda (England Rugby’s Performance Partner) are inspiring future generations to play rugby and grow the women’s game.
The creation of the Telegraph Honda Rugby Legacy Fund, will help grassroots clubs across the country achieve their ambitions.
For more information, visit tgr.ph/legacyfund
Paid for by
Telegraph Media Group Creative Director: Jonathan Clayton-Jones, Picture Editor: Alex Kelly, Commissioning Editor: Jim Bruce-Ball, Words: Nick Heath, Sub Editor: Tim Cumming, Project Manager: Emma Simpson, Web Editor: Kat Scott
Image credits: Getty
– and now I want to inspire others to get involved’
MARLIE PACKER tasted glory as a world champion; now she’s ready to help England reclaim top spot and get a new generation into the game By Nick Heath
‘Rugby’s given me a life that I never believed I’d have
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Marlie with her brother Paul – and the Six Nations trophy
Marlie and Oliver in post-match interview mode
Learning from losses and wearing the scars are as much a part of Marlie Packer’s core make up as winning trophies and personal accolades. Having both won and lost a major final, the Saracens and England star is now dreaming of being on top of the world again.
“I couldn’t go up to someone in the street and tackle them to the floor but in rugby, I can express myself in that way in a controlled environment. You see the full Marlie Packer when I’m out on the pitch. And yes, there is the caring side that you see when a player’s injured or something like that. But then also there’s that winning mentality and I will do anything for any of my teammates.”
A Somerset girl from Yeovil, Packer’s past, like any of us, includes moments she would rather forget. Rather than dismiss old misdemeanours, they are carried with her and form part of who she is now.
“I think for me, I wear them as scars and lessons. I’ve always had the motto – learn from your mistakes and yes, I’ve made a couple of mistakes, but actually it doesn’t change me as a person. If I can educate the younger players to not make mistakes that I’ve made, on and off the pitch, then that’s me giving my little bit.”
“I couldn’t go up to someone in the street and tackle them to the floor but in rugby, I can express myself in that way in a controlled environment. You see the full Marlie Packer when I’m out on the pitch. And yes, there is the caring side that you see when a player’s injured or something like that. But then also there’s that winning mentality and I will do anything for any of my teammates.”
A Somerset girl from Yeovil, Packer’s past, like any of us, includes moments she would rather forget. Rather than dismiss old misdemeanours, they are carried with her and form part of who she is now.
“I think for me, I wear them as scars and lessons. I’ve always had the motto – learn from your mistakes and yes, I’ve made a couple of mistakes, but actually it doesn’t change me as a person. If I can educate the younger players to not make mistakes that I’ve made, on and off the pitch, then that’s me giving my little bit.”
