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
[edit]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
[edit]Vaipulu is of Tongan and Māori descent.[1] She attended Aorere College.[2]
References
[edit]- ^ a b Mauafu, Neueli (23 April 2024). "Volleyball star "hops" sport codes and lands Black Ferns contract for 2024". TP+. Retrieved 14 May 2024.
- ^ a b c Reid, Felicity (22 April 2024). "Sibling rivalry and Dad's wise words help propel Maama Vaipulu into Black Ferns". RNZ. Retrieved 14 May 2024.
- ^ Julian, Adam (14 September 2023). "Maama Vaipulu soaring high for Auckland". allblacks.com. Retrieved 14 May 2024.
- ^ a b Reive, Christopher (14 May 2024). "'Didn't know if it was real': New Black Fern's rapid rise". NZ Herald. Retrieved 14 May 2024.
- ^ "Preview: Super Rugby Aupiki Final 2024". superrugby.co.nz. 11 April 2024. Retrieved 14 May 2024.
- ^ Whareaitu, Rachael (22 April 2024). "Talent aplenty in 2024 contracted Black Ferns group". allblacks.com. Retrieved 14 May 2024.
- ^ "Black Ferns Pacific Four Series squad named". allblacks.com. 1 May 2024. Retrieved 1 May 2024.
- ^ "Three uncapped players in Black Ferns squad to contest Pacific Four Series". RNZ. 1 May 2024. Retrieved 1 May 2024.
- ^ "Paul stars as Black Ferns kick off Pacific Four Series challenge with nine-try win over USA | World Rugby". www.world.rugby. 11 May 2024. Retrieved 14 May 2024.
- ^ Porter, Joe (10 May 2024). "Black Ferns kick off season as next year's World Cup looms". RNZ. Retrieved 14 May 2024.
- ^ Julian, Adam (11 May 2024). "Black Ferns kick off 2024 in emphatic fashion". allblacks.com. Retrieved 14 May 2024.
- ^ "Three debutants named in Black Ferns team to tackle USA". allblacks.com. 9 May 2024. Retrieved 14 May 2024.
- ^ Julian, Adam (9 May 2024). "The Black Ferns identity ahead of the 2024 Pacific Four Series". www.rugbypass.com. Retrieved 14 May 2024.