Victoria Samata Subritzky-Nafatali (30) was a World Cup winner in 2017 and was granted a discharge without conviction for driving drunk in 2020 primarily to allow her an opportunity to play in the most recent tournament on home soil.
However, before that took place, the experienced inside back was charged again and did not make the squad.
The Black Ferns won a gripping final against England 34-31 this month.
Subritzky-Nafatali pleaded guilty to drink-driving and careless driving following an incident in December last year.
She drove into two parked cars in Brockville Rd and was seen fleeing the scene in a smashed up Suzuki Swift.
Police later found the vehicle parked outside her home.
Subritzky-Nafatali answered the door and a test resulted in a breath-alcohol level of 825mcg — more than three times the legal limit.
She appeared in the Dunedin District Court this week, one of a group who had completed the Right Track, an eight-week programme aimed at changing the behaviour of driving offenders.
Judge David Robinson commended Subritzky-Nafatali for her commitment to change.
"You prioritised being on the course over the pressures of playing rugby,’’ he said. "I can imagine what a reach that would’ve been for you.’’
Subritzky-Nafatali said she was initially reluctant to confront her issues.
"I thought I’d rather just go to jail than do the Right Track but I’m glad I stuck it out because I learned so much,’’ she told the court.
"I knew I had to do it. I had to do it for me.’’
Subritzky-Nafatali said her brother was in the car at the time of the crash and she had been forced to reflect on how much worse the result could have been.
"I learned my intentional action can cause unintentional consequences,’’ she said.
The court heard Subritzky-Nafatali now had employment in the North Island working with children from low-decile schools.
With her ability to communicate and her sporting talents, the judge called her "the complete package’’.
Subritzky-Nafatali initially indicated she would apply for a second discharge without conviction but that was abandoned by this week’s hearing.
Judge Robinson stressed employers usually looked at the person rather than the record.
"I don’t think a conviction is going to hinder you. I think if anything you having this conviction is hopefully going to cause other people in similar situations to sit up and take notice,’’ he said.
Subritzky-Nafatali was banned from driving for 28 days and will be subject to the alcohol-interlock provisions following that.
"More than likely she will be riding a scooter to work,’’ counsel Anne Stevens KC said.
