Leilani Perese (born 1 January 1993) is a New Zealand rugby union player. She debuted for the Black Ferns in 2018. She also plays for Hurricanes Poua in the Super Rugby Aupiki competition and represents Counties Manukau provincially.
| Date of birth | 1 January 1993 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| Place of birth | Wairoa | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Height | 1.79 m (5 ft 10 in) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Weight | 125 kg (276 lb) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Rugby union career | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Rugby career edit
2010–16 edit
In 2010 Perese studied for a Bachelor of Physical Education degree at the University of Auckland.[1] She made 15 appearances for Auckland from 2012 to 2014 before switching to Counties Manukau in 2016.[2]
2018 edit
Perese was included in the historic Black Ferns squad that received contracts in 2018.[3] She made her debut for New Zealand against Australia in the first of two test matches in 2018 in Sydney.[1][4] She earned her second cap in their 45–17 victory in the second test match.[5]
Three months after making her debut, she was named in the Black Ferns squad for the November tests against the United States and France.[6] She came off the bench in her sides 67–6 routing of the Eagles.[7][8][9] She played both matches against France, they won the first test 14–0 in Toulon, but lost the second test 27–30 in Grenoble.[10][11][12]
2019–20 edit
Perese was selected for the Black Ferns squad for the 2019 Women's Rugby Super Series in San Diego, she featured in all four games.[13][14] She faced the Wallaroos again, a year after her debut, winning both tests 47–10 and 37–8.[15][16] In 2020 she was named in the Black Ferns contracted squad.[17]
2022 edit
Perese appeared for Hurricanes Poua in the inaugural 2022 Super Rugby Aupiki season.[18][19] She was selected for the Black Ferns squad for the 2022 Pacific Four Series.[20]
Personal life edit
Perese is a New Zealander of Māori descent (Ngāpuhi descent) and in early 2024, she became famous for creating a haka for the Hurricanes Poua as a way of protesting against the current New Zealand government and in defense of the rights of the Māori people.[21]
References edit
- ^ a b Ali, Imran (28 July 2018). "Hard work starts for new Black Fern". NZ Herald. Retrieved 23 March 2022.
- ^ "Leilani Perese #198". stats.allblacks.com. Retrieved 23 March 2022.
- ^ "Black Ferns contracted squad named in historic announcement". RUGBY HEARTLAND. 23 May 2018. Retrieved 23 March 2022.
- ^ Wenzel, Murray; Gilhooly, Daniel (25 July 2018). "Wallaroos name squad for back to back Tests against the Black Ferns". Fox Sports. Retrieved 23 March 2022.
- ^ "PREVIEW: Black Ferns v Wallaroos second Test". allblacks.com. 23 August 2018. Retrieved 23 March 2022.
- ^ "Black Ferns squad for November Tests named". RUGBY HEARTLAND. 16 October 2018. Retrieved 23 March 2022.
- ^ "TEST PREVIEW: Black Ferns v USA". allblacks.com. 2 November 2018. Retrieved 23 March 2022.
- ^ "Eagles hammered by Black Ferns in Chicago". Americas Rugby News. 4 November 2018. Retrieved 23 March 2022.
- ^ Goile, Aaron (3 November 2018). "Black Ferns cruise past USA for comfortable win in Chicago". Stuff. Retrieved 23 March 2022.
- ^ "France aim to bounce back against World Champion All Blacks". Six Nations Rugby. 15 November 2018. Retrieved 23 March 2022.
- ^ "Test preview: Black Ferns v France (2)". allblacks.com. 15 October 2018. Retrieved 23 March 2022.
- ^ "Rugby: Black Ferns fall to France in second test". Newshub. 18 November 2018. Retrieved 23 March 2022.
- ^ "New look Black Ferns headed for San Diego". Americas Rugby News. 22 June 2019. Retrieved 23 March 2022.
- ^ "Black Ferns ready for World Cup rematch". www.rugbypass.com. Retrieved 23 March 2022.
- ^ "Wallaroos to face experienced Black Ferns - Nine Wide World of Sports". wwos.nine.com.au. 8 August 2019. Retrieved 23 March 2022.
- ^ "Wallaroos make two changes for second Test". ESPN.com. 15 August 2019. Retrieved 23 March 2022.
- ^ "Black Ferns 2020 Test matches announced". NZ Rugby. 12 March 2020. Retrieved 23 March 2022.
- ^ "Hurricanes Poua named to face Chiefs Manawa in debut Sky Super Rugby Aupiki match". superrugby.co.nz. 14 March 2022. Retrieved 23 March 2022.
- ^ "Hurricanes Poua named for Matatū clash". superrugby.co.nz. 19 March 2022. Retrieved 23 March 2022.
- ^ "31-strong Black Ferns squad named for home June Test series". allblacks.com. 4 May 2022. Retrieved 12 June 2022.
- ^ "Rugby team sparks row in NZ after calling government 'rednecks' in haka". The Guardian. 7 March 2024. Retrieved 15 March 2024.