A young South Canterbury rugby player is preparing to step on to the field with the world’s best after being selected to represent the South Island at the Global Youth Sevens 2025 tournament.
Earlier this month, Craighead Diocesan School student Sienna Wright, 17, was named in the Matatū sevens team, which is set to compete at the end of year tournament.
To be held from December 19 to 21 in Auckland, the under-18 tournament will feature more than 50 of the world’s elite boys’ and girls’ youth teams.
Sienna, who primarily plays union as a centre, fullback or winger, is the only South Cantabrian to be named in the 14-strong squad, which includes players from Southland up to Tasman.
She said it was exciting getting the call to be a part of the team.
‘‘I actually had never heard of it before because it’s the first time they’ve ever put a team through.
‘‘This year I got selected for the New Zealand U18 development camp . . .and that kind of just got me in the system and led to me being selected for this team.’’
Although not having a lot of experience with sevens — she was looking forward to pursuing and getting more experience with it.
‘‘Last year we had a Craighead sevens team and that was the first year we had one.
‘‘We went to Condor’s last year, which is nationals, and it was a big thing making it there.
‘‘I enjoy sevens more [than union] because I also do athletics [sprints] and there is a lot more space to be able to use my speed.
‘‘I’m hoping this opportunity will give me the chance to learn the game more, understand how to play it and play alongside other players that are better than me and learn off them.’’
Sienna first picked up the oval ball in year 8 and has been rapidly progressing in the sport ever since.
‘‘I’ve kind of grown up with a rugby family. My brother, sister and dad love it and I just thought I’d give it a go.
‘‘Craighead’s got a really good rugby culture and our team has stuck together and progressed the whole way through from year 9.
‘‘Rugby is something I really want to pursue more, especially sevens.’’
As well as making the New Zealand U18 camp for union and playing for Craighead, she had represented South Canterbury in the Hanan Shield competition and played in Christchurch for the High School Old Boys club.
She had also been selected to take part in a Matatū U20 training camp.
Sienna said it was great to have someone like Black Ferns star Jorja Miller, a former Timaru Girls’ High School pupil, show that a high-level rugby career was achievable as a young player from Timaru.
Craighead teacher in charge of rugby Max Mason said the school was very proud of Sienna’s achievements.
‘‘It’s pretty awesome and exciting to see her grow and go from being a wicked year 10, year 11 player to now getting recognised not only in the regional space but also the Christchurch and Canterbury space, which is really hard to break into as there’s some really talented players up there.
‘‘It’s great to see Sienna recognised with those other players on the national stage.
‘‘We’re really excited to see where she goes from here and we really want to just keep encouraging her and doing whatever we can to make sure that there’s space for her to keep growing.
‘‘We’re just super proud and super stoked.’’
