Ma'ama Mo'onia Vaipulu
| Date of birth | 26 November 2002 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Ma'ama Mo'onia Vaipulu (born 26 November 2002) is a New Zealand rugby union player. She plays Lock for the Blues Women in the Super Rugby Aupiki competition and for Auckland provincially.
Rugby career
Vaipulu made her first appearance in the Farah Palmer Cup for the Auckland Storm in 2021.[1] Two years later she debuted for the Blues against Matatū.[2]
In September 2023, she featured for the Black Ferns XVs side against the Manusina XVs.[2][3] She was part of the Blues side that won their first Super Rugby Aupiki title in 2024.[4][5]
In April 2024, she received her first Black Ferns contract.[6][4] She was then named in the Black Ferns squad for the Pacific Four Series.[7][8] She started in her test debut against the United States on 11 May 2024 and scored in the 26th minute for the Black Ferns sixth try.[9][10][11] Vaipulu became a dual international after her debut as she had previously represented New Zealand in Volleyball.[12][13]
Personal life
Vaipulu is of Tongan and Māori descent.[1] She attended Aorere College.[2]
References
- ^ a b Mauafu, Neueli (2024-04-23). "Volleyball star "hops" sport codes and lands Black Ferns contract for 2024". TP+. Retrieved 2024-05-14.
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link) - ^ a b c Reid, Felicity (2024-04-22). "Sibling rivalry and Dad's wise words help propel Maama Vaipulu into Black Ferns". RNZ. Retrieved 2024-05-14.
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link) - ^ Julian, Adam (2023-09-14). "Maama Vaipulu soaring high for Auckland". allblacks.com. Retrieved 2024-05-14.
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link) - ^ a b Reive, Christopher (2024-05-14). "'Didn't know if it was real': New Black Fern's rapid rise". NZ Herald. Retrieved 2024-05-14.
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link) - ^ "Preview: Super Rugby Aupiki Final 2024". superrugby.co.nz. 2024-04-11. Retrieved 2024-05-14.
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link) - ^ Whareaitu, Rachael (2024-04-22). "Talent aplenty in 2024 contracted Black Ferns group". allblacks.com. Retrieved 2024-05-14.
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link) - ^ "Black Ferns Pacific Four Series squad named". allblacks.com. 2024-05-01. Retrieved 2024-05-01.
- ^ "Three uncapped players in Black Ferns squad to contest Pacific Four Series". RNZ. 2024-05-01. Retrieved 2024-05-01.
- ^ "Paul stars as Black Ferns kick off Pacific Four Series challenge with nine-try win over USA | World Rugby". www.world.rugby. 2024-05-11. Retrieved 2024-05-14.
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link) - ^ Porter, Joe (2024-05-10). "Black Ferns kick off season as next year's World Cup looms". RNZ. Retrieved 2024-05-14.
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link) - ^ Julian, Adam (2024-05-11). "Black Ferns kick off 2024 in emphatic fashion". allblacks.com. Retrieved 2024-05-14.
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link) - ^ "Three debutants named in Black Ferns team to tackle USA". allblacks.com. 2024-05-09. Retrieved 2024-05-14.
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link) - ^ Julian, Adam (2024-05-09). "The Black Ferns identity ahead of the 2024 Pacific Four Series". www.rugbypass.com. Retrieved 2024-05-14.
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)