Grace Brooker

Grace Brooker (born 20 June 1999) is a New Zealand rugby union player. She made her test debut for New Zealand in 2019. She plays for Matatū in the Super Rugby Aupiki competition and represents Canterbury provincially.

Grace Brooker
Date of birth (1999-06-20) 20 June 1999
Place of birthRangiora, New Zealand
Height1.73 m (5 ft 8 in)
Weight75 kg (165 lb)
Rugby union career
Provincial / State sides
Years Team Apps (Points)
2017–2021 Canterbury 35 (115)
Super Rugby
Years Team Apps (Points)
2022 Matatū (0)
International career
Years Team Apps (Points)
2019  New Zealand 3 (0)

Personal life

Brooker attended Christchurch Girls' High School and then graduated with a Bachelor of Sport Coaching in Physical Education from the University of Canterbury.[1][2]

Rugby career

2019

Brooker made her test debut for New Zealand against Australia on 17 August at Auckland. She scored two tries for the NZ Development XV at the Oceania Rugby Women's Championship in Fiji.[2][3]

2021

In 2021, she was named in the Black Ferns touring squad to England and France. Brooker earned her first start in the second test match against England.[4][5] She sustained a knee injury in the 24th minute and was replaced by Patricia Maliepo.[6][4] She was ruled out of the tour after undergoing knee surgery.[7][8]

Brooker signed with Matatū for the inaugural season of Super Rugby Aupiki for 2022.[9][10][11] However, her ongoing knee injury forced her to miss the competitions debut.[12]

2022–23

Despite missing out on selection for the Black Ferns for their World Cup defence on home soil, Brooker assisted the Black Ferns with video analysis during the tournament.[12][13]

Brooker was named in the Black Ferns side to compete in the Pacific Four Series and O’Reilly Cup.[14][15] On 23 September 2023, she captained the Black Ferns XV's team against a Manusina XV's side at Navigation Homes Stadium in Pukekohe.[16][17] She scored a try in her sides 38–12 victory.[18]

References
  1. "Grace Brooker". The University of Canterbury. Retrieved 3 February 2022.
  2. Mockford, Sarah (1 April 2020). "Hotshot: Black Ferns back Grace Brooker". Rugby World. Retrieved 3 February 2022.
  3. "Rising star Grace Brooker shines in big Black Ferns Development win over Fiji". 1 News. 18 November 2019. Retrieved 3 February 2022.
  4. "England Women complete double over New Zealand with record win". Talking Rugby Union. 8 November 2021. Retrieved 3 February 2022.
  5. "Black Ferns return for Portia Woodman locked in". RNZ. 6 November 2021. Retrieved 3 February 2022.
  6. Pearson, Joseph (7 November 2021). "Black Ferns slump to another record test defeat as England power to huge victory". Stuff. Retrieved 3 February 2022.
  7. "Black Ferns make three changes to counter 'flamboyant' France". NZ Herald. 12 November 2021. Retrieved 3 February 2022.
  8. Pearson, Joseph (9 November 2021). "Black Ferns face difficult French examination after tough English lesson on northern tour". Stuff. Retrieved 17 March 2023.
  9. "Matatū squad with UC connections revealed". The University of Canterbury. 4 November 2021. Retrieved 3 February 2022.
  10. "Matatū confirm their inaugural 2022 squad". Crusaders Rugby. 4 November 2021. Retrieved 3 February 2022.
  11. "Seven Black Ferns and two Wallaroos named in inaugural Matatū squad". Stuff. 3 November 2021. Retrieved 3 February 2022.
  12. Royen, Robert van (25 November 2022). "Injured Black Fern Grace Brooker's long road back almost over". Stuff. Retrieved 17 March 2023.
  13. "Injured Black Fern becomes analyst for team's RWC campaign". 1 News. 20 October 2022. Retrieved 17 March 2023.
  14. "First Black Ferns squad of 2023 named". allblacks.com. 7 June 2023. Retrieved 7 June 2023.
  15. "Nine rookies named in first Black Ferns squad of 2023". NZ Herald. 7 June 2023. Retrieved 7 June 2023.
  16. "Black Ferns XV named to face Manusina XV". NZ Rugby. 21 September 2023. Retrieved 23 September 2023.
  17. "7 players in Black Ferns XV side to play Manusina XV". Canterbury Rugby. 22 September 2023. Retrieved 21 September 2023.
  18. Julian, Adam (23 September 2023). "Black Ferns XV overcome Manusina XV in the wet". allblacks.com. Retrieved 23 September 2023.
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