NZDF hosts first Women's International Defence Rugby Competition

Defence teams from Australia, Fiji, France, Tonga, the United Kingdom and a combined Papua New Guinea/Vanuatu side will represent their countries and militaries at the tournament in Auckland.

Chief of Defence Force, Air Marshal Kevin Short, was delighted for New Zealand to host the first 15-a-side Defence Women’s rugby competition.

“The New Zealand Defence Force is proud to be hosting this inaugural event, bringing together Defence women from our military partners across the Pacific and around the world to engage through sport – bonding and battling for a winning outcome." 

It was also a reflection of the value the forces place on supporting their people to follow their sporting passions, alongside their professional lives, he said.

The Defence Ferns, NZDF’s mixed-service women’s rugby team, features a number of players who have competed in the Farah Palmer cup and in Super Rugby.

Corporal Hayley Hutana has played for the Blues and North Harbour and was excited to bring together her sporting passions with her work whanau.

“I am looking forward to competing and networking with other militaries and nations but also to promote both my job and my sport in one go”

• Corporal Hayley Hutana

For many other players, it will be their first time participating in an international competition.

“Playing international rugby has been a dream of mine since forever”, said Private Ebony Low. 

Hosting the inaugural international Defence women’s rugby competition meant a lot to the Defence Ferns as they hoped to inspire future Defence women through sport. 

“I’m looking forward to meeting other strong wahine from other international Defence Force’s but most of all, I am looking forward to growing the game for future generations,” said Lance Corporal Mary Kanace.

Air Marshal Short said local support would boost the Defence Ferns.

“We encourage New Zealand to get behind our Defence women, watch some exciting rugby, and celebrate these wahine toa (strong women) as they go head-to-head, bringing us the best in Defence Women’s rugby, right here in Aotearoa New Zealand,” he said.

All games are open to the public and will be played in Auckland, at the College Rifles Rugby Club, Remuera. Most games will also be live streamed online. 

For the game schedule, links to watch online, and more information about NZDF’s inaugural women’s International Defence Rugby Competition, visit www.nzdf.mil.nz/idrc