Maiakawanakaulani Roos re-signs with NZR through to 2029
The 24-year-old’s new contract locks in one of the Black Ferns most experienced and durable players, and with 41 Test caps already the ninth most capped Black Fern of all time.
RepresentingtheBlackFernsandtheBluesissomethingInevertakeforgranted,soI’mincrediblygratefultocontinuemyjourneywithbothteamsforthenextthreeyears.I’vetrulygrownupintheseenvironments.They’veplayedahugeroleinshapingmeasaperson,playerandleader.I’mexcitedtocontinuelearning,evolvingandservingtheteamsthathavegivensomuchtome,whiledoingmyparttocontributetotheirlegacies.Maiakawanakaulani Roos, Black Fern
Since her debut against England in 2021, Roos has played in 38 of 40 Black Ferns Tests, including every Test in the 2023 and 2024 seasons. Her consistency in 2022 earned a nomination for World Rugby’s 15s Breakthrough Player of the Year and a year later she became the youngest player to captain the Black Ferns against the United States in Ottawa.
Maiaissomeonewhoconsistentlyputstheteamfirstandleadsfromthefrontthroughheractions.ShehasstampedhermarkasaprominentfigurewithintheBlackFernsTight5make-up,throughconsistentdominantperformances.Shehasachievedalotatayoungage,andI’mexcitedaboutwhat’saheadforherasshehasthequalitiestobecomeaBlackFernwho’sinfluencereachesfarbeyondthefield,withtheabilitytoconnectandupliftourenvironmentandmorewidelyhercommunity.Black Ferns Head Coach, Whitney Hansen
Roos re-signs with the Blues
Roos has also become the first Black Fern to align her contract with her Super Rugby Aupiki club, meaning she will be a Blues player for the next three seasons. Tamaki College’s Head Girl represented Auckland while still at school and has gone on to play every minute of her 24 matches for the Blues since her debut in 2021.
Nib Blues Head Coach Willie Walker said:
“This is a significant milestone for the club in terms of our future. Maia has been with us from the start, so to have that stability with her desire to stay with the Blues and keep growing alongside us is pretty special. She’s made a huge contribution to how our programme has grown and we are excited to see that continue.”
NZR CEO Steve Lancaster said:
“Maia’s durability and consistency is testament to her dedication and work ethic. She is leading from the front for the Black Ferns and showing what’s possible in rugby in New Zealand for professional players. It’s great to see our women’s players making long term commitments to the game as we look forward to an exciting international calendar over the next three years.”
