Black Ferns call up for Kenepuru Orderly

Kenepuru Hospital Orderly Moana Aiatu has been selected to play for the Black Ferns and will travel to the UK next month to represent New Zealand in a test series against England.

Basketball was the training ground for Moana’s sporting career while growing up in Porirua. She played basketball while at Aotea college and represented Wellington in the under 18’s and under 20’s.

But that all changed in 2006 when Moana began work as an orderly at Wellington Hospital. Starting a new job inspired her to take up a new challenge and Moana thought she would try her hand at rugby. She played her first game for Oriental Rongotai and was instantly hooked on the game.

“I like the fact that rugby is a physical sport and you can play hard. The team support is what really makes it a great game. I used to worry about injuries but my training has made me really fit so that’s no longer an issue.”

Moana says Rebecca Liua’ana, the manager of Manu Samoa, has been a great mentor and has really helped with her game strategy. “Being a woman has never been a barrier for me – whenever people say ‘you can’t do that’ – it’s an incentive to prove them wrong.”

It was while playing for Wellington Pride in the Number 8 position that Moana made the cut for the Black Ferns and was selected as a prop.

"I never thought I would make the team. The Black Ferns are ranked number one in the world. I really want to keep my feet on the ground and stay humble. Everyone at work has been great – they are all totally behind what I’m doing. In fact, my colleagues are more excited than me – they now think they are working with someone famous!”

The scheduled games in the test series against England take place on November 26th and 29th and the 3rd December, and will air on Sky Sport.