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Tyla Nathan-Wong granted release from Black Ferns Sevens contract

(Photo by Dan Mullan/Getty Images)

New Zealand Rugby (NZR) has agreed to release Black Ferns Sevens player Tyla Nathan-Wong from her contract at her own request to pursue an opportunity to play in the NRLW competition during the Black Ferns Sevens off-season.

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The 28-year-old has been involved in the Black Ferns Sevens programme since her debut in 2012 at the age of 18. She has been a pivotal player for the Black Ferns Sevens during this time, achieving a number of milestones on the world stage.

Notably she has won two Sevens Rugby World Cups, Olympic silver and gold medals, Commonwealth Games bronze and gold medals, alongside seven Sevens World Series titles.

Nathan-Wong said she was grateful that NZR has enabled her to pursue a personal goal.

“I am excited to be jumping across the ditch and joining the NRLW. It will be a great opportunity to grow myself and my game on and off the field in a different sport, team, and environment before hopefully returning to the sevens programme.

“As an athlete I love the challenge and growth that sport offers, so to be able to test myself in a different format and experience a new space to refresh is hugely exciting.

“I am really appreciative to NZ Rugby for giving me the contract release to enable me to take up the opportunity and to my fiancée, family, and management team for all the support.”

Sweeney extended his support for Nathan-Wong’s new challenge.

“Tyla has been a huge part of our team for some time now, it is unsurprising to have an athlete of her calibre to be sought after by another code.

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“While the timing is not ideal being a year out from the 2024 Paris Olympics, we wish her all the best with this next chapter in her career. We will certainly be staying in touch with her about a possible return to the programme with a view to being a part of next year’s Olympic campaign.”

NZR General Manager Professional Rugby & Performance Chris Lendrum noted the increasing number of options available for professional women’s rugby players to explore.

“After 12 years with the Black Ferns Sevens Tyla has played her part in achieving the many successes of the Black Ferns Sevens, and we are grateful and thank Tyla for her contribution.

“Our women’s professional players have an increasing number of opportunities available to them. We are working hard to ensure we are building competitions and a pathway in the women’s game that our players want to play in, but we are not yet in a finished state.

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“We need to maintain an open mind to retaining talent in this space and provide solutions that meet the needs of both players and NZR.”

-Press Release/NZ Rugby

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1 Comment
b
beau 698 days ago

Good luck Tyla maybe when warriors re enter nrlw they maybe able to woo both yourself and Gail Broughton home.

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JW 4 hours ago
Calls for law change after Golden Point 'kissing your sister' let-down

That’s what overtime is for, two get more intense and suspenseful play. Like I said previously, weve missed out on a lot of golden point games so far this season, but this one delivered 10 minutes of great rugby to make up for it.

“But I’d like to kick off again after the boys defended on the line, to kick off, put them in the corner and go again.”

Is he proposing the second half of overtime, or a NFL type system when you get your chance (even if you score), and then they get theirs?


Hurricanes scored first so got to chose to kick off right? They had position but the Force were great at recycling and the Canes D was no longer pressuring, choosing to play it safe or to conserve energy, which I don’t know but the Force slowly ate into that territory and were at the 22 after about 5 minutes with the ball. That’s when the D started feeling the need to up the tempo. They turned it over and looked like they might make a break that would go all the way. Instead they also only got to the 22 before it became a grind again, this time getting all the way to the line only to blow it.


That is basically how a more refined system would have played out anyway. If the Force had of scored then the Canes would have had that attempt. 10 minutes is certainly enough, was in this game. It’s hard to imagine a slow stogy team, who try to play tactically and kick the ball away and benefit from two 10 halfs, actually even get that far. The team that was going for it to score the golden point would generally win. 10 minutes looks good, it means we get the rugby were after by having a golden point. Remember it’s not to finding a winner, it’s entertainment, no playing it safe and wanting 20 minutes to do it. Having a second chance, if not a pure tit for tat system, would hopefully be in for the finals.

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