A Southland return: Black Fern's 'full circle moment'
“It’s quite a full circle moment because [Southland’s] where my love for rugby started and a lot of important people, who have been part of my rugby journey, will get an opportunity to see that.”
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Amy Rule isn’t playing down what Saturday means to her.
On Saturday Rule will run onto Rugby Park in Invercargill with the Super Rugby Aupiki defending champions Matatū.
Matatū will take on the Blues in round one of the 2024 competition.
But it isn’t just an exciting season-opener for Rule. In some parts, it’s a chance to reflect on and honour her rugby roots.
Rule’s rugby story is a fascinating one. She discovered rugby almost by accident in 2017. She was in her final year at Aparima College in the coastal Southland town of Riverton when it happened.
Rule had never played rugby before but was invited by a friend to attend a Southland women’s sevens team training. By the end of her debut 2017 season, she had played for 10 different teams and was fast-tracked into the Otago Spirit squad to play in the Farah Palmer Cup.
Five years later Rule was a World Champion. She started at tight-head prop in the 2022 World Cup final win over England and scored a try for good measure.
It was a performance that landed her the Southland Sportsperson of the Year title.
Although with the nature of pro rugby, and Southland not having a Farah Palmer Cup team, Rule has played little to no rugby in her home province since leaving Aparima College.
That will change on Saturday.
“It’s quite a full circle moment because [Southland’s] where my love for rugby started. A lot of important people, who have been part of my rugby journey, will get an opportunity to see that.”
“There’s a lot of emotions and it’s very cool. It’s just very exciting,” Rule told The Tribune when asked about Saturday’s occasion.
That’s the personal part of it. But for Rule, she is just as excited about Southlanders getting the chance to see a top level of women’s rugby on their doorstep.
It’s a game that will feature many current and former Black Ferns.
“I don’t think there has been this level of [women’s] rugby head down that way. So that’s a really exciting opportunity to showcase how far women’s rugby has come.”
Rule has delivered a pretty passionate message to Southland encouraging the province to head along to Rugby Park on Saturday.
“It’s going to be epic and so much fun. You have got three Southlanders to show up and support.
“You’ve got the A&P Show and then finish the day off with some great footy. We really want to see everyone there.”
The other Southlanders Rule was alluding to is Amy du Plessis and Emma Dermody who are also part of the Matatū team.
On top of the Super Rugby Aupiki game on Saturday there will be a curtain-raiser between the 2023 Southland women’s club finalists Marist and Midlands.
There will also be plenty of opportunities for the public to mingle with the female rugby stars starting from Friday morning when the Matatū team arrives in Invercargill.
Their flight arrives at 10.10am on Friday and they will be greeted to a warm Southland welcome.
At Rugby Park later in the day there will be a free public open captain’s run from 2pm to 3pm for fans to meet the team and get photos and signatures.
On Saturday morning young female players are welcome to join members of the team for a skills and drills session alongside Rugby Southland Staff.
It will take place from 10am to 11am and is a free event, although spaces are limited and people need to register via the Rugby Southland Facebook page.
On Saturday gates will open at 1.30pm for the Marist-Midlands curtain raiser kicking off at 2pm.
The day will also feature a Kapa Haka performance, halftime live music, and giveaways for the whole family.
Kids 12 and under can attend for free and adult tickets are $15 from the Civic Theatre, Ticketek online, or at the game.
The whole venue will be general admission, so get in early for a seat in the grandstand.
All 2023 registered female players can redeem a free ticket to the game by checking their emails and following the redemption details.
ILT, Community Trust South, and Rugby Southland have played a key role in bringing big-time women’s rugby to Invercargill.
Great to see Matau come to play in Invercargill, a chance for Southlanders to see a top level female super rugby game featuring three local girls in the starting lineup. Thanks to the ILT, community Trust. and the Rugby Southland staff who have worked hard and in great collaboration with Matatu management to bring this special occasion to Rugby Park.