Sarah Hirini re-signs with New Zealand Rugby to the end of 2028

Hirini (Ngāti Kahungunu) has re-signed with the Black Ferns Sevens, extending her contract through to the end of 2028.
Her return comes just four months after the birth of her and husband Conor’s son Masaru, and less than a year after stepping away from rugby to become a first time mother.
Hirini’s new contract extends her professional career into a 16th season to make her NZR’s longest serving current professional women’s rugby player as she looks toward a potential fourth Olympic Games in Los Angeles Olympics.
The 33-year-old said her ambition and drive remained as strong as it was when she debuted for Manawatu as an 20-year-old in 2013.
“I’m very grateful to have this opportunity to continue my career with NZ Rugby. I am so proud to be from New Zealand, representing our country and wearing the black jersey is a privilege I’ll never take for granted and I'll always give everything I have for it.
“I’m excited to be returning to our team that has continued to grow and evolve and that has set the standards for high performance women’s rugby around the world. I still feel that we are only scratching the surface and I can’t wait to see what other things we can accomplish as a team.

WATCH: Exclusive interview with Sarah Hirini on her return to Sevens

Hirini’s remarkable CV has swelled since her first NZR contract in 2013. She has captained the Black Ferns Sevens to three Olympic medals including back-to-back golds in Tokyo in 2020 and Paris in 2024, and won two Rugby World Cups in fifteens as a loose forward with the Black Ferns in 2017 and 2021. 
In total she has five medals across Olympic and Commonwealth Games including gold on the Gold Coast in 2018, has played 283 matches for the Black Ferns Sevens, becoming the first female international to reach the 200 milestone. She has also won two Rugby World Cup Sevens titles, while managing 17 Test caps for the Black Ferns in fifteens.

Beyond her on-field achievements she has been recognised for her leadership, receiving the prestigious Sport New Zealand leadership award and named a finalist for 2025 New Zealander of the Year, and in 2019 she was appointed a Member of the New Zealand Order of Merit for services to rugby.

WATCH: Sarah Hirini: Relentless follows Hirini's journey to Olympic gold

NZR CEO Steve Lancaster said:

“Sarah is an incredible player, but also a special person who has become an ambassador for our game and a role model for young New Zealanders. Her service to rugby in New Zealand has already been significant and we’re thrilled she has chosen to extend for another two years.

“We’re incredibly proud as an organisation to have a number of mothers of young children contracted in the Black Ferns Sevens environment and being supported to continue their professional rugby careers.”

Black Ferns Sevens Head Coach Cory Sweeney said:

“Sarah has been a huge part of the Black Ferns Sevens for a long time and will continue to be a key leader in the group as we move toward the 2028 Olympics. Like any athlete returning after some time away from the game she will take some time to get back to full capacity, but knowing the person she is and her work ethic she will be fit and firing for the 2026/2027 World SVNS series.”

NZR Head of Sevens High Performance Hannah Porter said:

“Sarah has been one of the best rugby players in the world for the best part of a decade, and she continues to show she has the drive and ability to compete at the highest level. Re-signing her for another two years gives Sarah the opportunity to push for selection for a fourth Olympic Games in LA. Alongside what she continues to deliver on the field, her experience, professionalism and knowledge of Sevens are hugely valuable to the group as we build towards 2028.”

Sarah Hirini Bio

Sarah Hirini (Ngāti Kahungunu) is one of New Zealand rugby’s most decorated players and the first women’s player to be professionally contracted to New Zealand Rugby. Born in Feilding on 9 December 1992, she made her sevens debut in 2012 and he Black Ferns debut in 2016.

Sarah Hirini Highliight Reel

• Olympic gold medallist (Tokyo 2020, Paris 2024) and silver medallist (Rio 2016)
• Rugby World Cup winner (2017, 2021)
• World Cup Sevens gold medallist (2013, 2018)
• Commonwealth Games gold medallist (2018) and bronze medallist (2022)
• Seven-time World Rugby Women's Sevens Series champion
• First female international Sevens player to reach 200 games
• First woman to win the Tom French Memorial Māori Player of the Year (2019)
• 2025 recipient of the Sport New Zealand leadership award and named finalist for New Zealander of the Year
• Appointed a Member of the New Zealand Order of Merit (MNZM) in (2019)

WATCH: Relive the historic Paris Olympic Sevens final