Maia Joseph (born 25 May 2002) is a New Zealand rugby union player who plays at first five-eighth and halfback for Matatū.
| Date of birth | 20 May 2002[1] | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| School | Columba College | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| University | University of Otago | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Notable relative(s) | Jamie Joseph (father) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Rugby union career | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Early life and family
editJoseph is the daughter of Mandy Joseph and rugby union coach and former player Jamie Joseph.[2][3] She began playing at under-5s level for Pōneke in Wellington.[4] She grew up in Dunedin where she was educated at Columba College and played club rugby for University and Dunedin.[2][3] She studied medicine at the University of Otago, but placed her studies on hold when offered a full-time contract with New Zealand Rugby in 2024.[4]
Rugby union career
editDomestic
editJoseph played for Otago Spirit, making her Farah Palmer Cup debut for the Spirit in 2020 playing at first five-eighth.[5] She played for the Chiefs Manawa in the inaugural Super Rugby Aupiki competition in 2022. She won the Fiao'o Faamausili Medal FPC Player of the Year at the ASB Rugby Awards in December 2022.[6]
Torn ACL and MCL knee ligaments ruled her out of Super Rugby in 2023, but following rehabilitation she went on to play for the Black Ferns XV.[2] She then made her debut for Matatū where she transitioned from first five-eighth to halfback.[7][2] She was named the Matatū’s rookie of the year at the end of the season.[8][9]
International
editJoseph trained with the New Zealand rugby sevens team in July 2023.[10] In April 2024, she was given a full-time contract by the New Zealand women's national rugby union team.[8][11][12] She started in her test debut against the United States in the Pacific Four Series on 11 May 2024.[13][14]
References
edit- ^ "Maia Joseph". Matatu. Retrieved 25 April 2024.
- ^ a b c d Hodge, Kayla (22 April 2024). "'Really special': Joseph gets Black Ferns contract". Otago Daily Times. Retrieved 24 April 2024.
- ^ a b Hepburn, Steve (12 August 2020). "Familiar names: talent passes down generations". odt. Retrieved 25 April 2024.
- ^ a b Oppert, Jordan (22 April 2024). "Medical studies on hold as Maia Joseph earns Black Ferns contract". 1News. Retrieved 24 April 2024.
- ^ Seconi, Adrian (25 September 2021). "Joseph a shining light as Spirit faces last chance to avoid drop". Otago Daily Times. Retrieved 25 April 2024.
- ^ "MAIA JOSEPH WINS FPC PLAYER OF THE YEAR". Sporty.co.nz. 12 December 2022. Retrieved 25 April 2024.
- ^ "Joseph enjoying time with Matatū". Otago Daily Times. 9 March 2024. Retrieved 24 April 2024.
- ^ a b Pearson, Joseph; Kermeen, Mat (22 April 2024). "Maia Joseph one of five new faces in Black Ferns contracts". Stuff.co.nz. Retrieved 24 April 2024.
- ^ "Joseph rookie of the year". Otago Daily Times. 19 April 2024. Retrieved 24 April 2024.
- ^ Seconi, Adrian (28 July 2023). "Schoolgirl to make debut for Spirit". odt. Retrieved 25 April 2024.
- ^ "'Really special': Joseph gets Black Ferns contract". Otago Daily Times. 22 April 2024. Retrieved 25 April 2024.
- ^ "Rugby: Five potential debutants earn full-time Black Ferns contracts for 2024". Newshub. 22 April 2024. Retrieved 25 April 2024.
- ^ "Paul stars as Black Ferns kick off Pacific Four Series challenge with nine-try win over USA". www.world.rugby. 11 May 2024. Retrieved 12 May 2024.
- ^ Julian, Adam (11 May 2024). "Black Ferns kick off 2024 in emphatic fashion". allblacks.com. Retrieved 12 May 2024.