A two-time Olympic gold medal winner has confirmed her return to rugby after a year-long break.
Sevens star Michaela Brake has signed a contract with New Zealand Rugby until the end of 2027, following a brief foray into rugby league and then the birth of her son, Harvey, in March.
Brake signed with the Warriors in the women’s NRL competition last year and started the first four games before her pregnancy, and it was announced in August that she would miss the rest of her debut season.
New Zealand Rugby said a then-pregnant Brake signed the new deal with them in late 2025 with the support of the national body through her maternity leave.
Brake, 30, said she was looking forward to easing back into the Black Ferns sevens environment over the coming months but was under no illusions about the challenge ahead.
