Player Profiles


	RACHAEL SAVAGE’O’NEILL Wellington - Tuwharetoa
	Age: 29 Made her Hong Kong 7’s debut in 2005 Member of champion Aotearoa Maori Women’s 7’s squad at Whangarei – 2002, 2003 and 2004 Member of Wellington NPC Rugby 15-a-side team Current member of Manu Sina World Cup squad Former age group national athletics 400m champion Club: Oriental Rongotai
Rachael’s size and pace make her an ideal forward in 7’s, and she demonstrated that with a huge performance last year in her Hong Kong debut Rachael has continued to develop as a 7’s player and has honed her forward skills The team comes first with Rachael and she brings tremendous personal qualities to the AMWR team kitenga and kaupapa (vision and purpose) Rachael has overcome serious illness in the last 12 months and has demonstrated tremendous courage to prepare for Hong Kong 2006 A great team taonga (treasure) Jersey Number: 1 Marital Status: Married to Michael (late last year) Earliest Rugby Memory: Playing on the wing for Counties Major influences on career: Mum and Dad Favourite Rugby memory: Playing Tri-Nations for Manu Sina Other Sporting Interests: Athletics and League Nickname: Savvy Current Employment: Group Relationship Manager (Tower)

	TERESA TE TAMAKI Auckland - Te Arawa
	Age: 24 Made her Hong Kong 7’s debut in 2005 Debuted for Aotearoa Maori Women’s 7’s team – 2004 Whangarei International Tournament Member of Auckland Women’s NPC Squad\ Member of Auckland representative Touch (mixed) team and NZ (mixed) Former 7’s representative for North Harbour Club: Auckland Marist
Teresa has the talent and physique to play either as a forward or back in 7’s Teresa has impressed in the few opportunities she has had at International level and is set to impose herself on this year’s tournament She is a great team person and committed player, and her 7’s skills are now being acknowledged Jersey Number: 2 Marital Status: Single Earliest Rugby Memory: Only started playing when turned 20 (2001/2002) Major influences on Career: Being in a team of international players and seeing their dedication and commitment Favourite Rugby memory: “Making this team” Other Sporting Interests: Touch Nickname: Teeza Current Employment: Physio

	LAVINIA GOULD (Captain) Wellington - Tuhoe
	Age: 25 Debuted for Aotearoa Maori Women’s 7’s in 2003 at both Whangarei and Hong Kong NZ 7’s squad to Hong Kong in 2001 NZ 7’s development squad in early 2001 Touch and soccer representative Wellington representative in 7’s and NPC Club: Hutt Old Boys Marist
Lavinia is a gifted player with outstanding skills and 7’s vision and is rated as one of the best playmakers in 7’s, internationally. She is a tremendous leader and intuitive player. Lavinia emerged as a top class player as an 18-year-old in 1999. She first played in Hong Kong as a 19-year-old for the full New Zealand team. She returned in 2003 and 2005 with the Aotearoa team and demonstrated the qualities needed to Captain this world champion team. She took time out in 2004 to start a family Jersey Number: 3 Marital status: Partner and daughter Favourite Rugby Memory To Date: “Every time I play in the Black Jersey is an honour and will always be a great memory” Other Sporting Interests: Soccer, Volleyball, Surfing Nickname: “Vinnie” Favourite Food: Anything chicken Favourite Music: R&B; Soul

	JULIE FERGUSON Hawkes Bay - Ngati Kahangunu
	Age: 28 Member of Aotearoa Maori Women’s 7’s squad 2003, 2004 and 2005 Captain of Aotearoa winning team at 2004 Whangarei International 7’s tournament Member of Hawkes Bay 7’s and NPC teams Provincial and NZ Touch representative Provincial Touch, League and 7’s representative Captained Otatara (Hawkes Bay) to 2006 Maori 7’s victory Club: Taradale
Julie has all the 7’s skills in her repertoire Another who has taken huge strides forward since her initial selection to this team Is equally adept as a playmaker or outside back Outstanding athlete and committed team player who has a tremendous future in 7’s Julie is another who shone in her Hong Kong debut in 2004 and again in 2005 Her 7’s talents and equally impressive personal qualities make Julie a valuable member of the team Jersey Number: 4 Marital Status: Single – Two children (Trey and Teilah) Earliest Rugby Memory: As a seven year old – running the wrong way with the ball Major Influence on Career: Family and Friend Favourite Rugby Memory to Date: Playing in the Hong Kong 2004 7’s Other Sporting Interests: Touch, League, Rugby 15’s Nicknames:“Julz” or “ET” (because she is always phoning home) Employment: Customer services representative

	ANNIE BROWN Putaruru - Tainui, Ngati Raukawa
	Age: 33 Member of champion Aotearoa Maori Women’s 7’s team since its inception Player of the tournament at Hong Kong in 2002 and Captain of the team in 2004 and 2005 Member of champion Bay of Plenty Women’s 7’s team since 1999 New Zealand 7’s training squad 2000/2001 Member of NZ Development 7’s team 2001 Vice-Captain Of Te Waiariki Maori Women’s 7’s team – Winners of NZ Maori Provincial 7’s in 2001, 2002 and 2003 New Zealand Maori Rugby League Representative Club: Surf
Annie is an extremely gifted and talented player. A tremendous leader who leads by example. She provides the team with stability and direction. Acknowledged as one of the best 7’s players in the world. Annie’s outstanding ball skills and vision make her a key member of the team. Due to her diverse skill range, Annie can play both as and inside back and forward. Annie is well respected for her leadership on and off the field, and is one of the keys to this team’s success. Jersey Number: 5 Marital Status: Married to Greg (Cuz) - two children Major Influences on Career: Husband and Father Favourite Rugby Memory to Date: Winning the Hong Kong 7’s - “The best feeling ever”. Other Sporting Interests: Netball, Touch and Rugby League Employment: Retail Assistant Favourite Food: Oysters

	RACHEL WIKEEPA Waikato - Ngati Awa
	Age: 24 Debuted for Aotearoa in Hong Kong in 2002 NZ 7’s Development team in 2001 Member of champion Bay of Plenty 7’s team since 2000 Member of 2005 Waikato NPC team Member of 2006 Waikato touch team Club: Surf
Rachel is one of the quickest players in women’s rugby She returns to the Aotearoa team after an absence of three years Rachel is a top athlete and committed trainer whose dedication will reap rewards Rachel plays as an outside back and is ready to set Hong Kong 2006 on fire Jersey Number: 6 Favourite Rugby Memory To Date: Winning the Hong Kong 7’s in 2002 Nickname: Rahera Earliest Rugby Memory: “Pin your ears back!” Employment: Student/Pool Manager

	VICTORIA BLACKLEDGE Auckland - Te Arawa, Ngati Pikiao
	Age: 23 Member of Aotearoa Squad for three consecutive years Debuted for Aotearoa at 2004 Whangarei Seven’s Current member of Black Ferns Member of Auckland representative Touch team (mixed) and NZ (mixed) Auckland NPC squad member Club: Auckland Marist
A multi-talented, gifted young athlete, Victoria is one of the fastest players in Women’s 7’s internationally She has developed considerably in the last two years Top try scorer and Player of the Tournament at 2004 Hong Kong 7’s, and scored the winning try in the last minute of the 2005 final Victoria is a natural 7’s player – great step Last year we predicted that Victoria would become a Black Fern – this year she will star for Jersey Number: 7 Marital Status: Single Earliest Rugby Memory: Major influences on Career: Favourite Rugby Memory: Winning Hong Kong Sevens & being named as Black Fern Other Sporting Interests: Touch Nickname: Tor Current Employment: Physio

	MERE BAKER Canterbury - Ngati Porou.
	Age: 28 Made Hong Kong debut in 2002 Member of Aotearoa winning team in 2003 and 2004 NZ League representative (Kiwi Fern) Member of current national touch champion team – Canterbury Member of 2003 World Cup winning Kiwi Ferns Club: Christchurch
Mere is a strong and uncompromising forward in 7’s She plays at either Hooker or Prop Mere is devastating both on attack and defence She has developed into a top international 7’s player Jersey Number: 8 Marital Status: Single Favourite Rugby Memory To Date: Winning the Hong Kong 7’s Nickname: "Mezza" Other Sporting Interests: Touch, League, Hockey Favourite Food: Subway

	SELICA WINIATA Palmerston North - Tainui
	Age: 19 Made her Hong Kong 7’s debut in 2005 Debuted for Aotearoa Maori Women’s 7’s team at Whangarei International tournament in 2004 Member of Manawatu NPC team Club: Kia Toa
Selica was a sensation in Hong Kong last year – the youngest member of the squad and played a vital role in the final She is another outstanding young athlete with amazing Sevens’ skills and vision and is expected to step up again this year – she plays with tremendous maturity Selica played club rugby in the USA following last year’s Hong Kong 7’s victory. She then returned home to star for Manawatu in the NPC. Selica has this year had the honour of running with the Queen’s Baton (Commonwealth Games) as it passed through Palmerston North Jersey Number: 9 Marital Status: Single Earliest Rugby Memory: Being the only girl on the team and scoring more tries than the boys! Favourite Rugby memory to date: Winning the Manawatu Final against Linton Other Sporting Interests: Touch, Basketball, Golf, Tennis Nickname: “Zola” (after Zola Budd – Selica runs her speed tests bare-footed) and “Peeow-Peeow” Employment: Road Marker

	SHAAN WARU Hawkes Bay - Ngati Porou
	Age: 15 Making Hong Kong 7’s debut Hurricanes Tournament team member 2003, 2004, 2005 Hawkes Bay Secondary Schools rep. NZ U/16 Maori Touch Club: Clive
Shaan is the youngest member of this team – 15 years old! She is a gifted rugby player who plays with maturity way beyond her years If Shaan can remain focussed, she will star for Aotearoa and New Zealand for many years – she is destined for the top Jersey Number: 10 Currently: at school Favourite Rugby Memory to Date: Hurricanes Schoolgirls’ MVP Other Sporting Interests: Motor-Cross, Touch, 15’s Rugby Favourite Music: “Old School” Favourite Food: Burger King Major Influence on Career: Mum and Frank

	CHANEL HUDDLESTON Hawkes Bay - Waikato/Ngati Paua
	Age: 22 Making Hong Kong debut NZ “A” Women’s Rugby team member Hawkes Bay NPC team Hawkes Bay Maori Rep. (Rugby and League) Member of Otatara 7’s – Winners of 2006 Maori 7’s Club: Clive
Chanel is a tremendous rugby talent – she has been a member of the Black Ferns training squad and is a current NZ “A” team member She is new to 7’s at this level but is a class player She will have a big tournament at Hong Kong Jersey Number: 11 Marital Status: Single Favourite Rugby Memory To Date: 2005 Club Final (Hawkes Bay) Favourite Music: R&B Other Sporting Interests: Rugby League and Touch Favourite Food: McDonald’s

	Justin Tutua Whakatane - Tuhoe .
	Selector/Coach of Aotearoa Maori Women’s 7’s since its inception. Won the Whangarei International 7’s in all five appearances and the Hong Kong International 7’s in all four attempts to date Coach of NZ Development Women’s 7’s at Wellington, 2001 Coached Bay of Plenty Women’s 7’s successfully, reaching finals in eleven tournaments entered – winning nine, including the 2000 National Provincial 7’s Coached Te Waiariki Women’s 7’s to win 2001 and 2002 NZ Maori Provincial Series Assisted with preparation of NZ 7’s training squad in 2000 and 2001 Successful coach of men’s 7’s teams before taking on the Bay of Plenty Women’s team
Peter is a vastly experienced coach who has a great passion for the game of rugby 7’s. He developed the Bay of Plenty side into a highly successful unit His coaching record is second to none, having coached his various representative teams (provincial, national and international ) to the final of every tournament they have competed in, in the last five years. He has selected and coached the champion Aotearoa Maori Women’s 7’s team since its inception in 2000. Peter is responsible for developing a number of emerging young seven’s players. Finalist in Coach of the Year at the NZ Maori Sports Awards, 2003 Marital Status: Married to Shelley Favourite Rugby Memory: Winning in Hong Kong in 2002 (and 2003,2004 and 2005) Other Sporting Interests: Love all sports Earliest Rugby Memory: Too long ago to remember! Nickname: PJ Current Employment: Chief Executive (TIASA)

	Peter Morris Rotorua - Tainui.
	Peter has been the Manager of Aotearoa Maori Women’s 7’s since its inception in 2000 He has a long history of involvement in and support for Women’s Rugby, at Club, Provincial, National and International level He is a proud supporter of Women’s 7’s Rugby achievement at the highest levels
Peter’s administrative and managerial role is vital to the team’s success This is his fifth Hong Kong defence support effort Peter’s role is an extremely valuable one and the team benefit from his vast experience in, and involvement with, women’s rugby Marital Status: Divorced (3 daughters) Current Employment: Administrator (Timber Industry) Nickname(s): P.M. and other nicknames too numerous to mention (in common with all managers/administrators!) Favourite Rugby Memory to Date: All four Aotearoa Maori Women’s Rugby Seven’s wins in Hong Kong to date

	Dane Joseph Rotorua - Te Arawa, Tuhourangi
	Dane made his Hong Kong debut as Assistant Manager/Administration, last year He has whanau connections to the team including its Coach/Selector His employer, Summit Engineering and Hydraulics, is a major, very supportive sponsor of the Aotearoa team, and has assisted the team defend their Hong Kong title for three consecutive years
Dane brings a youthful perspective and great support to the Aotearoa team Dane brings enthusiasm and energy to the team’s administration and support Marital Status: Single Employment: Manager (Engineering), Summit Engineering & Hydraulic Service Favourite Rugby Memory to Date: The 2005 Hong Kong 7’s