Black Ferns Sevens great Kelly Brazier signs with Aupiki club

In a big boost for the Chiefs Manawa ahead of the 2025 Super Rugby Aupiki season, four-time world champion Kelly Brazier has agreed to return home. Revered as one of the most decorated athletes in the sport, Brazier is all set for another stint with the Hamilton-based club.

Brazier donned the Chiefs Manawa’s jersey in 2022 as they charged towards the inaugural Aupiki title. With current Black Ferns coach Allan Bunting in charge, the Chiefs won all three round-robin matches as the players etched the club’s name into the Aupiki record books.

But, that doesn’t even scratch the surface when it comes to highlighting Brazier’s incredible list of achievements, which includes two world titles in each of sevens and 15s. With the Black Ferns Sevens, Brazier has also won seven HSBC (SVNS Series) titles.

With Team New Zealand on some of the world’s biggest sporting stages, Brazier has also contributed to history-making successes at the Olympic and Commonwealth Games. The 35-year-old won gold at the Tokyo Olympics, and also claimed silver at the 2016 Rio Games.

 

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Brazier is right up there with Blues recruit Portia Woodman-Wickliffe, Sarah Hirini and Michaela Blyde as some genuine trailblazers for the growth of women’s rugby in New Zealand. This is a significant signing for Chiefs Manawa, who can’t wait to have Brazier among their ranks.

“Kelly is a player that embodies professionalism and work ethic, which we value highly here at the Chiefs. Her hunger to compete is what sets her apart and is evident in her successes with the Black Ferns and Black Ferns Sevens,” coach Swayne Sweeney said.

“I know she will add a lot to the squad with her experience at the highest level, which will be valuable for some of our younger athletes.”

Brazier added: “I’m really looking forward to rejoining the Chiefs Manawa side for the 2025 Aupiki season. We’ve got a great group of players and being led by Dwayne Sweeney, it’s going to be an exciting season ahead.”

It was confirmed last week tat Brazier will suit up for the Black Ferns Sevens during the upcoming SVNS Series campaign. The rugby sevens veteran was named in New Zealand’s contracted squad for 2025, joining the likes of Michaela Blyde and Jorja Miller.

The Black Ferns Sevens squad

Michaela Blyde, Kelly Brazier, Maia Davis, Dhys Faleafaga, Jazmin Felix-Hotham, Sarah Hirini, Shiray Kaka, Le’Oxeayn Maiu’u, Justine McGregor, Jorja Miller, Manaia Nuku, Mahina Paul, Risi Pouri-Lane, Alena Saili, Theresa Setefano, Kelsey Teneti, Stacey Waaka