WelCom March 2024
St Mary’s College Wellington produced the first contracted schoolgirl Black Fern, Dhys Faleafaga, and now the youngest ever schoolgirl Black Fern at 17, Justine McGregor.
New Zealand Rugby reported in February that the All Blacks Sevens and Black Ferns Sevens have welcomed new young talent into their programmes with their 2024 season in full swing.
Justine McGregor (Ngāti Porou/Ngāti Kahungunu) is among the newest faces to move to the national sevens base in Mt Maunganui.
At just 17 years old, Justine McGregor is the latest schoolgirl sensation to graduate into the Black Ferns Sevens, in her first year out of St Mary’s College. With two seasons of Farah Palmer Cup under her belt, McGregor was also part of the Black Ferns XV squad and the New Zealand Under 18 Girls Sevens team in 2023.
Black Ferns Sevens Coach Cory Sweeney said McGregor has incredible promise.
‘Justine has been a standout performer in the secondary schools’ scene and has not taken a backward step since joining us. It’s obvious she has had some great support and coaching in her conditioning and rugby; we are proud of how she has adapted in our environment and she’s already putting her hand up for selection,’ said Sweeney.
The Black Ferns Sevens also celebrate the return of Dhys Faleafaga to the squad. The powerful forward debuted in the black jersey in 2019 and returns to the team after the birth of her twin sons. Faleafaga, like McGregor, is also a former student of St Mary’s College.
Both the All Blacks Sevens and Black Ferns Sevens squads are based full time in Mt Maunganui. They have a number of tournaments on the SVNS international series before the Paris Olympics in July.
Sources: St Mary’s College Wellington; NZ Rugby; Club Rugby
