Ma'ama Mo'onia Vaipulu
{{Short description|New Zealand rugby union player}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=October 2024}}
{{Infobox rugby biography
| birth_date ={{birth date and age|2002|11|26|df=y}}
| birth_place =
| height_cm = 185
| weight =
| ru_position =Lock
| ru_provinceyears1 =2021–Present
| ru_province1 =Auckland
| ru_provinceapps1 =18
| ru_provincepoints1 =10
|superyears1=2023–Present
|super1=Blues Women
|superapps1=19
|superpoints1=15
| repyears1 =2024–
| repteam1 = New Zealand
| repcaps1 =5
| reppoints1 =10
|name=Ma'ama Vaipulu
}}
Ma'ama Mo'onia Vaipulu (born 26 November 2002) is a New Zealand rugby union player. She plays Lock for the Blues Women in the Super Rugby Aupiki competition and for Auckland provincially.
Rugby career
Vaipulu made her first appearance in the Farah Palmer Cup for the Auckland Storm in 2021.{{Cite web |last=Mauafu |first=Neueli |date=2024-04-23 |title=Volleyball star "hops" sport codes and lands Black Ferns contract for 2024 |url=https://tpplus.co.nz/sport/volleyball-star-hops-sport-codes-and-lands-black-ferns-contract-for-2024/ |access-date=2024-05-14 |website=TP+ |language=en-NZ}} Two years later she debuted for the Blues against Matatū.{{Cite web |last=Reid |first=Felicity |date=2024-04-22 |title=Sibling rivalry and Dad's wise words help propel Maama Vaipulu into Black Ferns |url=https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/sport/514922/sibling-rivalry-and-dad-s-wise-words-help-propel-maama-vaipulu-into-black-ferns |access-date=2024-05-14 |website=RNZ |language=en-nz}}
In September 2023, she featured for the Black Ferns XVs side against the Manusina XVs.{{Cite web |last=Julian |first=Adam |date=2023-09-14 |title=Maama Vaipulu soaring high for Auckland |url=https://www.allblacks.com/news/maama-vaipulu-soaring-high-for-auckland |access-date=2024-05-14 |website=allblacks.com |language=en-NZ}} She was part of the Blues side that won their first Super Rugby Aupiki title in 2024.{{Cite web |date=2024-04-11 |title=Preview: Super Rugby Aupiki Final 2024 |url=https://www.superrugby.co.nz/news/preview-super-rugby-aupiki-final-2024 |access-date=2024-05-14 |website=superrugby.co.nz |language=en-GB}}
In April 2024, she received her first Black Ferns contract.{{Cite web |last=Whareaitu |first=Rachael |date=2024-04-22 |title=Talent aplenty in 2024 contracted Black Ferns group |url=https://www.allblacks.com/news/talent-aplenty-in-2024-contracted-black-ferns-group/ |access-date=2024-05-14 |website=allblacks.com |language=en-NZ}}{{Cite web |last=Reive |first=Christopher |date=2024-05-14 |title='Didn't know if it was real': New Black Fern's rapid rise |url=https://www.nzherald.co.nz/sport/black-ferns-contracts-call-up-latest-step-in-maama-vaipulus-rapid-rise/75QVYK3TFZBSPAVQCIHIU4XX3A/ |access-date=2024-05-14 |website=NZ Herald |language=en-NZ}} She was then named in the Black Ferns squad for the Pacific Four Series.{{Cite web |date=2024-05-01 |title=Black Ferns Pacific Four Series squad named |url=https://www.allblacks.com/news/black-ferns-pacific-four-series-squad-named/ |access-date=2024-05-01 |website=allblacks.com |language=en-NZ}}{{Cite web |date=2024-05-01 |title=Three uncapped players in Black Ferns squad to contest Pacific Four Series |url=https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/sport/515637/three-uncapped-players-in-black-ferns-squad-to-contest-pacific-four-series |access-date=2024-05-01 |website=RNZ |language=en-nz}} She started in her test debut against the United States on 11 May 2024 and scored in the 26th minute for the Black Ferns sixth try.{{Cite web |date=2024-05-11 |title=Paul stars as Black Ferns kick off Pacific Four Series challenge with nine-try win over USA {{!}} World Rugby |url=https://www.world.rugby/news/927395?lang=en |access-date=2024-05-14 |website=www.world.rugby}}{{Cite web |last=Porter |first=Joe |date=2024-05-10 |title=Black Ferns kick off season as next year's World Cup looms |url=https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/sport/516473/black-ferns-kick-off-season-as-next-year-s-world-cup-looms |access-date=2024-05-14 |website=RNZ |language=en-nz}}{{Cite web |last=Julian |first=Adam |date=2024-05-11 |title=Black Ferns kick off 2024 in emphatic fashion |url=https://www.allblacks.com/news/black-ferns-kick-off-2024-in-emphatic-fashion |access-date=2024-05-14 |website=allblacks.com |language=en-NZ}} Vaipulu became a dual international after her debut as she had previously represented New Zealand in Volleyball.{{Cite web |date=2024-05-09 |title=Three debutants named in Black Ferns team to tackle USA |url=https://www.allblacks.com/news/three-debutants-named-in-black-ferns-team-to-tackle-usa |access-date=2024-05-14 |website=allblacks.com |language=en-NZ}}{{Cite web |last=Julian |first=Adam |date=2024-05-09 |title=The Black Ferns identity ahead of the 2024 Pacific Four Series |url=https://www.rugbypass.com/news/the-black-ferns-identity-ahead-of-the-2024-pacific-four-series/ |access-date=2024-05-14 |website=www.rugbypass.com |language=en}}
Personal life
Vaipulu is of Tongan and Māori descent. She attended Aorere College.
References
{{Reflist}}
External links
- [https://stats.allblacks.com/all-players/profile/Maama-Vaipulu-BF-259 Black Ferns Profile]
- [https://www.blues.rugby/maama-vaipulu Blues Profile]
{{Blues women's squad}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Vaipulu, Ma'ama Mo'onia}}
Category:New Zealand female rugby union players
Category:New Zealand women's international rugby union players