Ariana Bayler

BIOGRAPHY

Black Fern #228

Ariana Bayler is a triumph of persistence. Despite three ACL injuries, the nippy halfback has been a key figure in the resurgence of women’s rugby in Waikato. Bayler became a Black Fern on the Northern Tour in 2021, eight years after her first-class debut as a 16-year old, and earned four caps off the bench by replacing veteran halfback Kendra Cocksedge each time.

“I got a little bit light headed when I was summoned for my debut against England. It was only eight minutes, but to run out and achieve the dream of playing for New Zealand was surreal.

“There were quite a few moments during my recovery from injury which weren’t happy ones. I learned if you really want something you have to do everything you can to achieve it. Once I’m in game mode everything is gone, you’ve got to flush negative thoughts and carry on.”

Bayler grew up in Waihi wanting to be an All Black, first hearing of the Black Ferns as a teenager watching highlights of the 2010 World Cup winning team on the sports news. There were few opportunities for girls to play rugby at Waihi College so, on the suggestion of a teacher from Morrinsville, the Waikato University club was the only alternative.

Switching between halfback, first-five and fullback, Bayler was good enough to make the Waikato NPC team in Year 12 in 2013. The demands on her time were strenuous.

“Mum would wake up at four in the morning and we’d drive to Hamilton to do my training and drive back. Mum would go to work and I’d go to school and we’d repeat in the afternoon. Sometimes we did this four times a week.

“Back then University played in the Auckland competition so we were up there every second weekend too. In 2013 we got second and a year later won it.”

Bayler’s mother Kerri was a mail lady at the time and now owns a cafe. She looks after an “extended family” of seven.

To ease the load, Bayler did her final year of college at Hamilton Girls’ High School. In sevens and fifteens combined the team won 31 consecutive games, winning both national titles and outscoring opponents 1391 to 58. Waikato made the 2014 NPC final and was beaten by Auckland in New Plymouth.

“I played first-five and have fond memories of that season. It’s been awesome to see the growth in the Waikato competition each year. We now have eight or nine club teams which is pretty awesome.”

In 2016 with Reuben Samuels, Bayler helped start the Hamilton Old Boys’ women’s team. In 2021 they won the senior competition.

She has played 41 games for Waikato scoring a try in the record 45-14 victory over Auckland in 2018 as well as half the points in a memorable 34-27 victory against Wellington in 2021. Later that season (absent of their Black Ferns) Waikato kicked on to win their first Farah Palmer Cup title, having lost the final a year earlier in extra time to Canterbury.

It’s extraordinary the impact Bayler has enjoyed in Hamilton when one considers her wretched injury history. She has ruptured her ACL (anterior cruciate ligament) twice in the left knee and once on the right.

“The first one happened in 2015 during a varsity preseason. The ball had bounced out of the scrum so I went back to collect it. I went to step a player and my knee popped out. The next year I went over to Japan for some Sevens with the Waikato girls. I was chasing a kick-off and the girl caught the ball and changed direction. I went to change direction with her but I didn’t go and it went again. The last one in 2018 was the hardest. That happened in a sevens tournament and again I was stepping. Perhaps I should just run straight.”

Toughness and an innate understanding of her own game are reasons for success. Though the Northern Tour didn’t result in victories, “huge crowds” and exposure to English and French play “not comparable with the FPC” helped Bayler better understand her own game.

“Players can get caught up with being like someone else. Matter of fact they’re being picked for being themselves. I went on to play to my strengths. I’m quite a physical nine. I’m not afraid to jump in the line, make tackles and have a run. I really back the speed of my pass."

Profile by Adam Julian