Sarah Hirini: Difference between revisions
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'''Sarah Hirini''' {{post-nominals|country=NZL|MNZM}} ({{nee|'''Goss'''}}; born 9 December 1992)<ref>{{cite web |author= <!--Staff writer(s)/no by-line.--> |title= Sarah Hirini |publisher= NBC |url= https://www.nbcolympics.com/athletes/sarah-hirini-1185681 |access-date= 6 January 2023}}</ref> is a New Zealand women's [[rugby union]] player and two-time Olympic medalist. She plays for the [[New Zealand women's national rugby sevens team]], and captained the Manawatu Sevens side that took out the 2013 National Women's Sevens title in Queenstown. She was named in the squad for the [[2017 Women's Rugby World Cup]].<ref>{{Cite web |title= Black Ferns squad for 2017 Women's Rugby World Cup named |publisher= |
'''Sarah Hirini''' {{post-nominals|country=NZL|MNZM}} ({{nee|'''Goss'''}}; born 9 December 1992)<ref>{{cite web |author= <!--Staff writer(s)/no by-line.--> |title= Sarah Hirini |website= nbcolympics.com |publisher= NBC |url= https://www.nbcolympics.com/athletes/sarah-hirini-1185681 |access-date= 6 January 2023}}</ref> is a New Zealand women's [[rugby union]] player and two-time Olympic medalist. She plays for the [[New Zealand women's national rugby sevens team]], and captained the Manawatu Sevens side that took out the 2013 National Women's Sevens title in Queenstown. She was named in the squad for the [[2017 Women's Rugby World Cup]].<ref>{{Cite web |title= Black Ferns squad for 2017 Women's Rugby World Cup named |website= allblacks.com |publisher= New Zealand Rugby |language= en |url= http://www.allblacks.com/News/31052/black-ferns-squad-for-2017-womens-rugby-world-cup-named |access-date= 13 August 2017 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20180612142409/http://www.allblacks.com/News/31052/black-ferns-squad-for-2017-womens-rugby-world-cup-named# |archive-date= 12 June 2018 |url-status= live |df= dmy-all }}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |title= Black Ferns World Cup squad named |date= 5 July 2017 |publisher= Radio New Zealand |url= http://www.radionz.co.nz/news/sport/334498/black-ferns-world-cup-squad-named |access-date= 13 August 2017 |language=en-nz |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20170813223857/http://www.radionz.co.nz/news/sport/334498/black-ferns-world-cup-squad-named# |archive-date= 13 August 2017 |url-status=live |df=dmy-all }}</ref> |
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==Early life== |
==Early life== |
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Hirini was born on 9 December 1992 to Ronnie and Alan Goss.<ref name=Stuff-Ronnie>{{cite web |author =<!--Staff writer(s)/no by-line.--> |date= 2 March 2020 |title= Shearing community mourns loss of champion woolhandler Ronnie Goss | |
Hirini was born on 9 December 1992 to Ronnie and Alan Goss.<ref name=Stuff-Ronnie>{{cite web |author =<!--Staff writer(s)/no by-line.--> |date= 2 March 2020 |title= Shearing community mourns loss of champion woolhandler Ronnie Goss |website= Stuff |url= https://www.stuff.co.nz/manawatu-standard/news/300242340/shearing-community-mourns-loss-of-champion-woolhandler-ronnie-goss |accessdate= 6 January 2023}}</ref> Her sister Rachael Rakatau also plays rugby and played for the Manawatū Cyclones in the Farah Palmer Cup championship in 2021<ref name=Anderson1>{{cite web |last= Anderson |first= Merryn |date= 21 December 2021|title= Rugby’s super sisters swept up by the Hurricanes |website= Newsroom |url= https://www.newsroom.co.nz/lockerroom/rugbys-super-sisters-swept-up-by-the-hurricanes |accessdate= 6 January 2023}}</ref> |
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Her father Alan was a champion shearer who won a Golden Shears title in the 1985 intermediate shearing final.<ref name= Stuff-Ronnie/> |
Her father Alan was a champion shearer who won a Golden Shears title in the 1985 intermediate shearing final.<ref name= Stuff-Ronnie/> |
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Her mother Ronnie was a master wool handler, winning 53 open finals, including the 2008 Golden Shears open title, as well as competing in the New Zealand open championships finals in Te Kuiti in 1999 and 2003, in the Golden Shears open final six times, the 2014 world championships in Ireland, and represented New Zealand in ten trans-Tasman wool handling test matches.<ref name= Stuff-Ronnie/> |
Her mother Ronnie was a master wool handler, winning 53 open finals, including the 2008 Golden Shears open title, as well as competing in the New Zealand open championships finals in Te Kuiti in 1999 and 2003, in the Golden Shears open final six times, the 2014 world championships in Ireland, and represented New Zealand in ten trans-Tasman wool handling test matches.<ref name= Stuff-Ronnie/> |
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She grew up in a sports-loving household in the Oroua Valley, just out of Feilding.<ref name=Casey1>{{cite web |last= Casey |first= Alex |date= 8 December 2022 |title= Sarah Hirini is ready to lead | |
She grew up in a sports-loving household in the Oroua Valley, just out of Feilding.<ref name=Casey1>{{cite web |last= Casey |first= Alex |date= 8 December 2022 |title= Sarah Hirini is ready to lead |website= The Spinoff |url= https://thespinoff.co.nz/partner/08-12-2022/how-sarah-hirinis-passion-keeps-her-pushing-forward|accessdate= 6 January 2023}}</ref> Her secondary school education was undertaken at [[Feilding High School]], where she boarded.<ref name= Husband1>{{cite web |last= Husband |first= Dale |date= 22 May 2022 |title= Sarah Hirini: Back to work |website= E-Tangata |url= https://e-tangata.co.nz/korero/sarah-hirini-back-to-work/ |accessdate= 6 January 2023}}</ref> |
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When she was young Hirini competed in shearing contests alongside her brother Simon.<ref name=Husband1/> |
When she was young Hirini competed in shearing contests alongside her brother Simon.<ref name=Husband1/> |
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After leaving high school having obtained a scholarship she commenced full time studies at Massey University, undertaking a Bachelor of Arts in Māori and sports science.<ref name=Lampp>{{cite web |last= Lampp |first= Peter |title= Little rest for Massey's Goss |publisher= Manawatu Standard |date= 16 October 2013 |url= http://www.stuff.co.nz/manawatu-standard/sport/9289449/Little-rest-for-Masseys-Goss |access-date= 3 October 2014}}</ref> However following selection for the national Sevens team, for the next eight years she completed her studies part-time, graduating with a degree in Maori studies.<ref name=Husband1/> |
After leaving high school having obtained a scholarship she commenced full time studies at Massey University, undertaking a Bachelor of Arts in Māori and sports science.<ref name=Lampp>{{cite web |last= Lampp |first= Peter |title= Little rest for Massey's Goss |website= Stuff |publisher= Manawatu Standard |date= 16 October 2013 |url= http://www.stuff.co.nz/manawatu-standard/sport/9289449/Little-rest-for-Masseys-Goss |access-date= 3 October 2014}}</ref> However following selection for the national Sevens team, for the next eight years she completed her studies part-time, graduating with a degree in Maori studies.<ref name=Husband1/> |
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==Rugby career== |
==Rugby career== |
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At the end of her secondary education she was so passionate about rugby that she wanted to play it full time, but with no obvious professional career path for women in rugby, she continued played it as amateur.<ref name=Casey1/> |
At the end of her secondary education she was so passionate about rugby that she wanted to play it full time, but with no obvious professional career path for women in rugby, she continued played it as amateur.<ref name=Casey1/> |
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In 2012 the [[New Zealand Rugby|New Zealand Rugby Union]] organized a nationwide “Go for Gold” grassroots initiative to identify talent with the potential to represent New Zealand in the Sevens competition at the [[2016 Summer Olympics]], where rugby sevens was making its debut.<ref>{{Cite web |title= New Zealand Rugby Union begins search for Olympic hopefuls |url= https://boxscorenews.com/new-zealand-rugby-union-begins-search-for-olympic-hopefuls-p32036-128.htm|access-date=2021-08-20| |
In 2012 the [[New Zealand Rugby|New Zealand Rugby Union]] organized a nationwide “Go for Gold” grassroots initiative to identify talent with the potential to represent New Zealand in the Sevens competition at the [[2016 Summer Olympics]], where rugby sevens was making its debut.<ref>{{Cite web |title= New Zealand Rugby Union begins search for Olympic hopefuls |url= https://boxscorenews.com/new-zealand-rugby-union-begins-search-for-olympic-hopefuls-p32036-128.htm|access-date=2021-08-20|website= boxscorenews.com}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |author= <!--Staff writer(s)/no by-line.-->|date= 16 April 2012 |title= RUGBY: Search on for sevens stars of future |website= NZ Herald |publisher= Northern Advocate |url= https://www.nzherald.co.nz/northern-advocate/sport/rugby-search-on-for-sevens-stars-of-future/ZKWYDOLIB6NM3ZBLGAWJMLL7TE/ |accessdate= 31 January 2023}}</ref> |
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Hirini who was in her second year of study at Massey University at the time, attended one of the trials where along with the other participants she was put through various fitness, speed, rugby skill and character assessment activities. Of the 800 who attended a trial, Hirini was among the 30 deemed promising who attended a training camp at Waiouru in mid-2012.<ref name=Swannell>{{cite book |last= Swannell |first= Rikki |year= 2022 |title= Sevens Sisters: How a People First Culture Turned Silver into Gold |location= Auckland |publisher= Mower |pages= 21, 133, 138 |type= Paperback |isbn= 978-1-990003-58-5}}</ref> |
Hirini who was in her second year of study at Massey University at the time, attended one of the trials where along with the other participants she was put through various fitness, speed, rugby skill and character assessment activities. Of the 800 who attended a trial, Hirini was among the 30 deemed promising who attended a training camp at Waiouru in mid-2012.<ref name=Swannell>{{cite book |last= Swannell |first= Rikki |year= 2022 |title= Sevens Sisters: How a People First Culture Turned Silver into Gold |location= Auckland |publisher= Mower |pages= 21, 133, 138 |type= Paperback |isbn= 978-1-990003-58-5}}</ref> |
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===2012-2013 Seven Series Season=== |
===2012-2013 Seven Series Season=== |
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Hirini was selected to join [[Lauren Burgess]], Marama Davis, [[Lavinia Gould]], [[Carla Hohepa]], Chyna Hohepa, [Linda Itunu]], [[Kayla McAlister]], [[Huriana Manuel]] (captain), [[Tyla Nathan Wong]], Amanda Rasch and [[Portia Woodman]] in New Zealand’s team for inaugural [[2012–13 IRB Women's Sevens World Series]]. As a result Hirini obtained a full time one year New Zealand Sevens contract, which paid $30,000.<ref name=Casey1/> Captained by Manuel the team won the series following a fourth at [[2013 USA Women's Sevens| Houston]] and wins at [[2013 China Women's Sevens| Guangzhou]] and [[Amsterdam Women's Sevens| Amsterdam]] having scored 169 points and conceded 34.<ref name=Swannell/><ref>{{cite web |date= 9 November 2012 |title= New Zealand Name Exciting Women's Sevens Squad | |
Hirini was selected to join [[Lauren Burgess]], Marama Davis, [[Lavinia Gould]], [[Carla Hohepa]], Chyna Hohepa, [Linda Itunu]], [[Kayla McAlister]], [[Huriana Manuel]] (captain), [[Tyla Nathan Wong]], Amanda Rasch and [[Portia Woodman]] in New Zealand’s team for inaugural [[2012–13 IRB Women's Sevens World Series]]. As a result Hirini obtained a full time one year New Zealand Sevens contract, which paid $30,000.<ref name=Casey1/> Captained by Manuel the team won the series following a fourth at [[2013 USA Women's Sevens| Houston]] and wins at [[2013 China Women's Sevens| Guangzhou]] and [[Amsterdam Women's Sevens| Amsterdam]] having scored 169 points and conceded 34.<ref name=Swannell/><ref>{{cite web |date= 9 November 2012 |title= New Zealand Name Exciting Women's Sevens Squad |website= Boxscore News |url= https://boxscorenews.com/new-zealand-name-exciting-womens-sevens-squad-p50577-128.htm |accessdate= 2 February 2023}}</ref> |
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===2020 Tokyo Olympic Games=== |
===2020 Tokyo Olympic Games=== |
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===2022 Birmingham Commonwealth Games=== |
===2022 Birmingham Commonwealth Games=== |
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Hirini was named in the [[New Zealand women's national rugby sevens team|Black Ferns Sevens]] squad for the [[2022 Commonwealth Games]] in [[Birmingham]].<ref>{{Cite web |date= 29 June 2022 |title= Rugby Sevens teams named for Commonwealth Games |publisher= |
Hirini was named in the [[New Zealand women's national rugby sevens team|Black Ferns Sevens]] squad for the [[2022 Commonwealth Games]] in [[Birmingham]].<ref>{{Cite web |date= 29 June 2022 |title= Rugby Sevens teams named for Commonwealth Games |website= allblacks.com |publisher= New Zealand Rugby |url= https://www.allblacks.com/news/rugby-sevens-teams-named-for-commonwealth-games/ |access-date=2022-07-04 }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=2022-06-29 |title=Experienced New Zealand sevens squads revealed for Commonwealth Games |url=https://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/commonwealth-games/300624797/experienced-new-zealand-sevens-squads-revealed-for-commonwealth-games |access-date=2022-07-04 |website= Stuff |language=en}}</ref> She won a bronze medal at the event.<ref>{{Cite web |last= McConnell |first= Lynn |date= 1 August 2022 |title= Double bronze for New Zealand Sevens sides in Birmingham |website= allblacks.com |publisher= New Zealand Rugby |url= https://www.allblacks.com/news/double-bronze-for-new-zealand-sevens-sides-in-birmingham/ |access-date= 5 August 2022}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date= 1 August 2022 |title= NZ Sevens sides bounce back to win bronze medals |website= 1 News |url= https://www.1news.co.nz/2022/08/01/black-ferns-sevens-bounce-back-for-bronze-in-tough-canada-clash/ |access-date= 5 August 2022}}</ref> She also won a silver medal at the [[2022 Rugby World Cup Sevens – Women's tournament|Rugby World Cup Sevens]] in [[Cape Town]].<ref>{{Cite web |last= Julian |first= Adam |date= 12 September 2022 |title= New Zealand sides scoop silver in Cape Town |website= allblacks.com |publisher= New Zealand Rugby |url= https://www.allblacks.com/news/heartbreak-for-new-zealand-sides-in-cape-town/ |url-status= live |access-date= 22 September 2022}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date= 2022-09-12 |title= NZ Sevens come up short, losing World Cup finals in Cape Town |website= 1 News |url= https://www.1news.co.nz/2022/09/12/nz-sevens-come-up-short-losing-world-cup-finals-in-cape-town/ |url-status=live |access-date=2022-09-22 }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last= Wilson |first= Sam |date= 11 September 2022 |title= Recap: New Zealand's men and women beaten in Rugby World Cup Sevens finals in Cape Town |website= Stuff |url= https://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/rugby/sevens/300684524/recap-new-zealands-men-and-women-lose-their-rugby-world-cup-sevens-finals-in-cape-town |url-status= live |access-date= 22 September 2022}}</ref> |
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===2021 World Cup=== |
===2021 World Cup=== |
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Hirini was a member of the Black Ferns 32-player squad for the [[2021 Rugby World Cup]].<ref name=":022">{{Cite web |date=2022-09-13 |title= Black Ferns squad locked in for Rugby World Cup |url=https://www.allblacks.com/news/black-ferns-squad-locked-in-for-rugby-world-cup/ |url-status=live |access-date=2022-09-15 |publisher= |
Hirini was a member of the Black Ferns 32-player squad for the [[2021 Rugby World Cup]].<ref name=":022">{{Cite web |date=2022-09-13 |title= Black Ferns squad locked in for Rugby World Cup |url=https://www.allblacks.com/news/black-ferns-squad-locked-in-for-rugby-world-cup/ |url-status=live |access-date=2022-09-15 |website= allblacks.com |publisher= New Zealand Rugby}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date= 2022-09-13 |title=Black Ferns Rugby World Cup squad named |publisher= Radio New Zealand |url= https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/sport/474684/black-ferns-rugby-world-cup-squad-named |access-date= 2022-09-27}}</ref> She scored a try in the final pool game against a scoreless [[Scotland women's national rugby union team|Scotland]] who were beaten 57–0.<ref>{{Cite web |last= Burnes |first= Campbell |date=2022-10-22 |title= Black Ferns top Pool A in style |website= allblacks.com |publisher= New Zealand Rugby |url= https://www.allblacks.com/news/black-ferns-top-pool-b-in-style/ |url-status=live |access-date=2022-11-27 }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last= Pearson |first= Joseph |date=2022-10-22 |title= Black Ferns lift physical intensity to beat Scotland, finishing Rugby World Cup pool stage on a high |website= Stuff |url= https://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/rugby/rugby-world-cup/130256085/black-ferns-lift-physical-intensity-to-beat-scotland-finishing-rugby-world-cup-pool-stage-on-a-high |access-date= 2022-11-27}}</ref> She also scored a try against [[Wales women's national rugby union team|Wales]] in the quarterfinals.<ref>{{Cite web |last= Burnes |first= Campbell |date= 2022-10-29 |title= Black Ferns storm into the final four |url= https://www.allblacks.com/news/black-ferns-storm-into-the-final-four/ |url-status=live |access-date=2022-11-27 |website= allblacks.com |publisher= New Zealand Rugby |language=en-NZ}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date= 2022-10-29 |title= New Zealand 55-3 Wales: Black Ferns knock Wales out of Rugby World Cup at quarter-final stage |website= Sky Sports |url= https://www.skysports.com/rugby-union/news/12321/12732953/new-zealand-55-3-wales-black-ferns-knock-wales-out-of-rugby-world-cup-at-quarter-final-stage |url-status= live |access-date=2022-11-27}}</ref> She played in the semi-final against France<ref>{{cite web |last= Burnes |first= Campbell |date= 2022-11-05 |title= Black Ferns into the Rugby World Cup Final |website= allblacks.com |publisher= New Zealand Rugby |url= https://www.allblacks.com/news/black-ferns-into-rugby-world-cup-final/ |accessdate= 2023-02-06}}</ref> and then the final in which the Black Ferns bet England to become World Champions.<ref>{{cite web |last= Rendell |first= Sarah |date= 2022-11-12 |title= New Zealand 34-31 England: Women’s Rugby World Cup final player ratings |website= The Guardian |url= https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2022/nov/12/new-zealand-england-womens-rugby-world-cup-final-player-ratings |accessdate= 2023-02-06}}</ref> |
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== Awards and honours == |
== Awards and honours == |
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In 2013, she received the [[Massey University]] Manawatu campus sportswoman of-the-year award. <ref name=Lampp/> |
In 2013, she received the [[Massey University]] Manawatu campus sportswoman of-the-year award. <ref name=Lampp/> |
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In the [[2019 Birthday Honours (New Zealand)|2019 Queen's Birthday Honours]], Hirini was appointed a [[Member of the New Zealand Order of Merit]], for services to rugby.<ref>{{cite web |date=3 June 2019 |title= Queen's Birthday honours list 2019 |url= https://dpmc.govt.nz/publications/queens-birthday-honours-list-2019 |
In the [[2019 Birthday Honours (New Zealand)|2019 Queen's Birthday Honours]], Hirini was appointed a [[Member of the New Zealand Order of Merit]], for services to rugby.<ref>{{cite web |date=3 June 2019 |title= Queen's Birthday honours list 2019 |publisher= Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet |url= https://dpmc.govt.nz/publications/queens-birthday-honours-list-2019 |access-date= 3 June 2019}}</ref> She was nominated, for the fourth time in six years, as the [[World Rugby Women's Sevens Player of the Year]].<ref>{{Cite web |title= World Rugby Sevens Players of the Year 2019 nominees announced |website= World Rugby |url= https://www.world.rugby/sevens-series/news/447646?lang=en |access-date= 2019-09-20}}</ref> |
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She was the first woman to play 200 matches in the global circuit. Her mother, sister and niece made the trip to the south of France to witness her 200th game.<ref name=Husband1/> |
She was the first woman to play 200 matches in the global circuit. Her mother, sister and niece made the trip to the south of France to witness her 200th game.<ref name=Husband1/> |
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==Personal life== |
==Personal life== |
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Of [[Māori people|Māori]] descent, She affiliates to the [[Ngāti Kahungunu]] [[iwi]].<ref>{{cite news |title= |
Of [[Māori people|Māori]] descent, She affiliates to the [[Ngāti Kahungunu]] [[iwi]].<ref>{{cite news |title= A history of Māori competing at the Olympic Games |website= Māori Sports Awards |publisher = Te Tohu Taakaro o Aotearoa Charitable Trust |url= https://maorisportsawards.co.nz/he-hitori-o-nga-taumahekeheke-maori/ |access-date= 6 February 2023}}</ref> |
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She married Conor Hirini in January 2019. <ref>{{cite web |last= Weaser |first= Laura |date= 24 January 2019 |title= Black Ferns captain Sarah Goss' love and laughter-filled wedding | |
She married Conor Hirini in January 2019. <ref>{{cite web |last= Weaser |first= Laura |date= 24 January 2019 |title= Black Ferns captain Sarah Goss' love and laughter-filled wedding |website= Now to Love |url= https://www.nowtolove.co.nz/lifestyle/weddings/black-ferns-sarah-goss-conor-hirini-wedding-40284 |accessdate= 6 January 2023}}</ref> |
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While based at Mount Maunganui she obtained her private pilot’s license in 2021, after three years of study.<ref name=Husband1/> |
While based at Mount Maunganui she obtained her private pilot’s license in 2021, after three years of study.<ref name=Husband1/> |
Revision as of 10:40, 6 February 2023
![]() Hirini in 2019 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Birth name | Sarah Goss | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Date of birth | 9 December 1992 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Place of birth | Feilding, New Zealand | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Height | 1.68 m (5 ft 6 in) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Weight | 72 kg (159 lb) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
School | Feilding High School | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
University | Massey University | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Spouse | Conor Hirini | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Occupation(s) | Professional sportswoman | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Rugby union career | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Medal record |
Sarah Hirini MNZM (née Goss; born 9 December 1992)[1] is a New Zealand women's rugby union player and two-time Olympic medalist. She plays for the New Zealand women's national rugby sevens team, and captained the Manawatu Sevens side that took out the 2013 National Women's Sevens title in Queenstown. She was named in the squad for the 2017 Women's Rugby World Cup.[2][3]
Early life
Hirini was born on 9 December 1992 to Ronnie and Alan Goss.[4] Her sister Rachael Rakatau also plays rugby and played for the Manawatū Cyclones in the Farah Palmer Cup championship in 2021[5]
Her father Alan was a champion shearer who won a Golden Shears title in the 1985 intermediate shearing final.[4] Her mother Ronnie was a master wool handler, winning 53 open finals, including the 2008 Golden Shears open title, as well as competing in the New Zealand open championships finals in Te Kuiti in 1999 and 2003, in the Golden Shears open final six times, the 2014 world championships in Ireland, and represented New Zealand in ten trans-Tasman wool handling test matches.[4] She grew up in a sports-loving household in the Oroua Valley, just out of Feilding.[6] Her secondary school education was undertaken at Feilding High School, where she boarded.[7]
When she was young Hirini competed in shearing contests alongside her brother Simon.[7] After leaving high school having obtained a scholarship she commenced full time studies at Massey University, undertaking a Bachelor of Arts in Māori and sports science.[8] However following selection for the national Sevens team, for the next eight years she completed her studies part-time, graduating with a degree in Maori studies.[7]
Rugby career
At secondary school she initially played field hockey, but began playing rugby after she accompanied some friends who were attending rugby tryouts. “I thought it’d be good fitness for my hockey and also, if I did one more sport I didn’t have to go to homework class after school.”[6][7]
At the end of her secondary education she was so passionate about rugby that she wanted to play it full time, but with no obvious professional career path for women in rugby, she continued played it as amateur.[6]
In 2012 the New Zealand Rugby Union organized a nationwide “Go for Gold” grassroots initiative to identify talent with the potential to represent New Zealand in the Sevens competition at the 2016 Summer Olympics, where rugby sevens was making its debut.[9][10]
Hirini who was in her second year of study at Massey University at the time, attended one of the trials where along with the other participants she was put through various fitness, speed, rugby skill and character assessment activities. Of the 800 who attended a trial, Hirini was among the 30 deemed promising who attended a training camp at Waiouru in mid-2012.[11]
2012-2013 Seven Series Season
Hirini was selected to join Lauren Burgess, Marama Davis, Lavinia Gould, Carla Hohepa, Chyna Hohepa, [Linda Itunu]], Kayla McAlister, Huriana Manuel (captain), Tyla Nathan Wong, Amanda Rasch and Portia Woodman in New Zealand’s team for inaugural 2012–13 IRB Women's Sevens World Series. As a result Hirini obtained a full time one year New Zealand Sevens contract, which paid $30,000.[6] Captained by Manuel the team won the series following a fourth at Houston and wins at Guangzhou and Amsterdam having scored 169 points and conceded 34.[11][12]
2020 Tokyo Olympic Games
Hirini was selected as a playing member of the Black Ferns Sevens for the Rugby sevens at the 2020 Summer Olympics. She was then selected to join Hamish Bond in being New Zealand's flagbearers at the opening ceremony.[11] Due to a racing the next day Bond was replaced by David Nyika. Due to Covid restrictions on how many could enter the Olympic Village at a time eleven of the players and management including Hirini were due to fly from Townsville, where they had been competing in the 2021 Oceania Women's Sevens Championship) in order to ensure Hirini would be able to attend the opening ceremony. They would be joined later by the rest of the team. After their first flight was cancelled the eleven missed their connection in Brisbane, which led to their 24-hour pre-departure tests expiring. Eventually a way was found of getting Hirani accompanied by Portia Woodman to Tokyo in time to participate in the opening ceremony.[11]
2022 Birmingham Commonwealth Games
Hirini was named in the Black Ferns Sevens squad for the 2022 Commonwealth Games in Birmingham.[13][14] She won a bronze medal at the event.[15][16] She also won a silver medal at the Rugby World Cup Sevens in Cape Town.[17][18][19]
2021 World Cup
Hirini was a member of the Black Ferns 32-player squad for the 2021 Rugby World Cup.[20][21] She scored a try in the final pool game against a scoreless Scotland who were beaten 57–0.[22][23] She also scored a try against Wales in the quarterfinals.[24][25] She played in the semi-final against France[26] and then the final in which the Black Ferns bet England to become World Champions.[27]
Awards and honours
In 2013, she received the Massey University Manawatu campus sportswoman of-the-year award. [8]
In the 2019 Queen's Birthday Honours, Hirini was appointed a Member of the New Zealand Order of Merit, for services to rugby.[28] She was nominated, for the fourth time in six years, as the World Rugby Women's Sevens Player of the Year.[29]
She was the first woman to play 200 matches in the global circuit. Her mother, sister and niece made the trip to the south of France to witness her 200th game.[7]
In 2022, she became the third woman to appear on the cover of the New Zealand Rugby Almanack.
Personal life
Of Māori descent, She affiliates to the Ngāti Kahungunu iwi.[30] She married Conor Hirini in January 2019. [31]
While based at Mount Maunganui she obtained her private pilot’s license in 2021, after three years of study.[7]
References
- ^ "Sarah Hirini". nbcolympics.com. NBC. Retrieved 6 January 2023.
- ^ "Black Ferns squad for 2017 Women's Rugby World Cup named". allblacks.com. New Zealand Rugby. Archived from the original on 12 June 2018. Retrieved 13 August 2017.
- ^ "Black Ferns World Cup squad named". Radio New Zealand. 5 July 2017. Archived from the original on 13 August 2017. Retrieved 13 August 2017.
- ^ a b c "Shearing community mourns loss of champion woolhandler Ronnie Goss". Stuff. 2 March 2020. Retrieved 6 January 2023.
- ^ Anderson, Merryn (21 December 2021). "Rugby's super sisters swept up by the Hurricanes". Newsroom. Retrieved 6 January 2023.
- ^ a b c d Casey, Alex (8 December 2022). "Sarah Hirini is ready to lead". The Spinoff. Retrieved 6 January 2023.
- ^ a b c d e f Husband, Dale (22 May 2022). "Sarah Hirini: Back to work". E-Tangata. Retrieved 6 January 2023.
- ^ a b Lampp, Peter (16 October 2013). "Little rest for Massey's Goss". Stuff. Manawatu Standard. Retrieved 3 October 2014.
- ^ "New Zealand Rugby Union begins search for Olympic hopefuls". boxscorenews.com. Retrieved 20 August 2021.
- ^ "RUGBY: Search on for sevens stars of future". NZ Herald. Northern Advocate. 16 April 2012. Retrieved 31 January 2023.
- ^ a b c d Swannell, Rikki (2022). Sevens Sisters: How a People First Culture Turned Silver into Gold (Paperback). Auckland: Mower. pp. 21, 133, 138. ISBN 978-1-990003-58-5.
- ^ "New Zealand Name Exciting Women's Sevens Squad". Boxscore News. 9 November 2012. Retrieved 2 February 2023.
- ^ "Rugby Sevens teams named for Commonwealth Games". allblacks.com. New Zealand Rugby. 29 June 2022. Retrieved 4 July 2022.
- ^ "Experienced New Zealand sevens squads revealed for Commonwealth Games". Stuff. 29 June 2022. Retrieved 4 July 2022.
- ^ McConnell, Lynn (1 August 2022). "Double bronze for New Zealand Sevens sides in Birmingham". allblacks.com. New Zealand Rugby. Retrieved 5 August 2022.
- ^ "NZ Sevens sides bounce back to win bronze medals". 1 News. 1 August 2022. Retrieved 5 August 2022.
- ^ Julian, Adam (12 September 2022). "New Zealand sides scoop silver in Cape Town". allblacks.com. New Zealand Rugby. Retrieved 22 September 2022.
{{cite web}}
: CS1 maint: url-status (link) - ^ "NZ Sevens come up short, losing World Cup finals in Cape Town". 1 News. 12 September 2022. Retrieved 22 September 2022.
{{cite web}}
: CS1 maint: url-status (link) - ^ Wilson, Sam (11 September 2022). "Recap: New Zealand's men and women beaten in Rugby World Cup Sevens finals in Cape Town". Stuff. Retrieved 22 September 2022.
{{cite web}}
: CS1 maint: url-status (link) - ^ "Black Ferns squad locked in for Rugby World Cup". allblacks.com. New Zealand Rugby. 13 September 2022. Retrieved 15 September 2022.
{{cite web}}
: CS1 maint: url-status (link) - ^ "Black Ferns Rugby World Cup squad named". Radio New Zealand. 13 September 2022. Retrieved 27 September 2022.
- ^ Burnes, Campbell (22 October 2022). "Black Ferns top Pool A in style". allblacks.com. New Zealand Rugby. Retrieved 27 November 2022.
{{cite web}}
: CS1 maint: url-status (link) - ^ Pearson, Joseph (22 October 2022). "Black Ferns lift physical intensity to beat Scotland, finishing Rugby World Cup pool stage on a high". Stuff. Retrieved 27 November 2022.
- ^ Burnes, Campbell (29 October 2022). "Black Ferns storm into the final four". allblacks.com. New Zealand Rugby. Retrieved 27 November 2022.
{{cite web}}
: CS1 maint: url-status (link) - ^ "New Zealand 55-3 Wales: Black Ferns knock Wales out of Rugby World Cup at quarter-final stage". Sky Sports. 29 October 2022. Retrieved 27 November 2022.
{{cite web}}
: CS1 maint: url-status (link) - ^ Burnes, Campbell (5 November 2022). "Black Ferns into the Rugby World Cup Final". allblacks.com. New Zealand Rugby. Retrieved 6 February 2023.
- ^ Rendell, Sarah (12 November 2022). "New Zealand 34-31 England: Women's Rugby World Cup final player ratings". The Guardian. Retrieved 6 February 2023.
- ^ "Queen's Birthday honours list 2019". Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet. 3 June 2019. Retrieved 3 June 2019.
- ^ "World Rugby Sevens Players of the Year 2019 nominees announced". World Rugby. Retrieved 20 September 2019.
- ^ "A history of Māori competing at the Olympic Games". Māori Sports Awards. Te Tohu Taakaro o Aotearoa Charitable Trust. Retrieved 6 February 2023.
- ^ Weaser, Laura (24 January 2019). "Black Ferns captain Sarah Goss' love and laughter-filled wedding". Now to Love. Retrieved 6 January 2023.
External links
- Sarah Hirini at the World Rugby Women's Sevens Series (archived)
- Sarah Hirini at Olympics at Sports-Reference.com (archived)
- All Blacks Profile
- 1992 births
- Living people
- Rugby sevens players at the 2016 Summer Olympics
- Olympic rugby sevens players of New Zealand
- New Zealand female rugby union players
- New Zealand women's international rugby union players
- New Zealand female rugby sevens players
- New Zealand women's international rugby sevens players
- New Zealand Māori rugby union players
- Ngāti Kahungunu people
- Massey University alumni
- People educated at Feilding High School
- Olympic silver medalists for New Zealand
- Olympic medalists in rugby sevens
- Medalists at the 2016 Summer Olympics
- Manawatu rugby union players
- Rugby sevens players at the 2018 Commonwealth Games
- Commonwealth Games rugby sevens players of New Zealand
- Commonwealth Games gold medallists for New Zealand
- Commonwealth Games medallists in rugby sevens
- Members of the New Zealand Order of Merit
- Rugby sevens players at the 2020 Summer Olympics
- Medalists at the 2020 Summer Olympics
- Olympic gold medalists for New Zealand
- People from Feilding
- 20th-century New Zealand women
- 21st-century New Zealand women
- Rugby sevens players at the 2022 Commonwealth Games
- New Zealand rugby union biography, 1990s birth stubs