Black Ferns great Rochelle Martin inducted into World Rugby Hall of Fame
A fitting tribute to one of the most respected loose forwards New Zealand rugby has produced across her 32-test Black Ferns career.
Martin will become the 180th inductee in World Rugby's Hall of Fame history, and will be honoured on home soil when the Black Ferns host France at One New Zealand Stadium in Christchurch on 31 October, in a WXV Global Series clash.
A career built on toughness and trust
Martin's rugby journey began at Wellington Football Club, where the foundations were laid for a 12-year test career built on relentless defence, hard-edged attack and an unshakeable winning mentality. Despite playing in an era before the women's game turned professional, she approached every match with a professional's discipline and application.
She was a cornerstone of the all-conquering Black Ferns sides that claimed three consecutive Rugby World Cup titles in 1998, 2002 and 2006, serving as vice-captain to Farah Palmer in that final triumph, a tournament that also marked the end of her test career.
Martin's talent was recognised early, earning Black Ferns Player of the Year honours in 1995, only her second season in test rugby. Across 32 caps for New Zealand, she tasted defeat just once, while also crossing for 14 tries.
Her winning habit followed her at every level of the game. Martin went unbeaten through her provincial career with Auckland Storm, and was a driving force behind College Rifles' dominant run of five Auckland club championships.
WATCH: Go back to 2003 for the memorable Black Ferns v World XV clash
Service beyond the sideline
Martin's contribution to New Zealand has extended well beyond the rugby field. For the past 25 years she has served as a firefighter, rising through the ranks to become District Commander of the Waitematā District in Auckland. In 2018, she was made a Member of the New Zealand Order of Merit in recognition of her services to both rugby and Fire and Emergency New Zealand. She is also a mother of four.
Part of a stellar class
Martin joins six other greats of the game in the Hall of Fame's class of 2026. Springbok fly-half Joel Stransky and All Blacks icon Zinzan Brooke were inducted in Cape Town in August, while USA's Jen Crawford and England's Sue Day will be honoured together in New Jersey in October. Italy's Diego Dominguez and France's Abdelatif Benazzi round out the group, with inductions to follow in Dublin and Rome respectively.
Hall of Fame panel chair John Eales said this year's inductees combined extraordinary on-field talent with humility and a lasting commitment to growing the game, qualities that have defined Martin's career both in Black Ferns colours and in the decades since she hung up her boots.
Rochelle Martin will be formally inducted as World Rugby Hall of Fame member No.180 when the Black Ferns face France at One New Zealand Stadium, Christchurch, on 31 October, as part of the WXV Global Series.
