Ma'ama Mo'onia Vaipulu

Last updated

Ma'ama Vaipulu
Date of birth (2002-11-26) 26 November 2002 (age 21)
Rugby union career
Position(s) Lock
Provincial / State sides
YearsTeamApps(Points)
2021–Present Auckland 18 (10)
Super Rugby
YearsTeamApps(Points)
2023–Present Blues Women 12 (10)
International career
YearsTeamApps(Points)
2024– New Zealand 1 (5)

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.

Contents

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]

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References

  1. 1 2 Mauafu, Neueli (23 April 2024). "Volleyball star "hops" sport codes and lands Black Ferns contract for 2024". TP+. Retrieved 14 May 2024.
  2. 1 2 3 Reid, Felicity (22 April 2024). "Sibling rivalry and Dad's wise words help propel Maama Vaipulu into Black Ferns". RNZ. Retrieved 14 May 2024.
  3. ↑ Julian, Adam (14 September 2023). "Maama Vaipulu soaring high for Auckland". allblacks.com. Retrieved 14 May 2024.
  4. 1 2 Reive, Christopher (14 May 2024). "'Didn't know if it was real': New Black Fern's rapid rise". NZ Herald. Retrieved 14 May 2024.
  5. ↑ "Preview: Super Rugby Aupiki Final 2024". superrugby.co.nz. 11 April 2024. Retrieved 14 May 2024.
  6. ↑ Whareaitu, Rachael (22 April 2024). "Talent aplenty in 2024 contracted Black Ferns group". allblacks.com. Retrieved 14 May 2024.
  7. ↑ "Black Ferns Pacific Four Series squad named". allblacks.com. 1 May 2024. Retrieved 1 May 2024.
  8. ↑ "Three uncapped players in Black Ferns squad to contest Pacific Four Series". RNZ. 1 May 2024. Retrieved 1 May 2024.
  9. ↑ "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.
  10. ↑ Porter, Joe (10 May 2024). "Black Ferns kick off season as next year's World Cup looms". RNZ. Retrieved 14 May 2024.
  11. ↑ Julian, Adam (11 May 2024). "Black Ferns kick off 2024 in emphatic fashion". allblacks.com. Retrieved 14 May 2024.
  12. ↑ "Three debutants named in Black Ferns team to tackle USA". allblacks.com. 9 May 2024. Retrieved 14 May 2024.
  13. ↑ Julian, Adam (9 May 2024). "The Black Ferns identity ahead of the 2024 Pacific Four Series". www.rugbypass.com. Retrieved 14 May 2024.
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