RWC2025 | New Zealand's Maia Roos talks about her route into rugby

New Zealand's Maia Roos talks about her route into rugby and reflects on her team's opening win over Spain ahead of the Black Ferns' Pool C match against Japan at Sandy Park on Sunday.

Maia Roos

On playing with 13 players for a period against Spain:

“I think we played quite well. Something we learned is that we need to communicate that on the field, because we didn’t actually realise we were playing with 13 players. It always helps to know what’s going on on the field.

“We’re quite proud of how we managed that as a group and played to those conditions.”

On whether she could have followed in the footsteps of her parents (her mother Tia is a senior lecturer at the Manukau Institute of Technology (MIT), and her father Kevin is a biomedical engineer):

“I think if I applied myself, I could be quite academic. Rugby presented itself as an opportunity whilst I was in uni. I got contracted, and so whatever I’m focused on, I like to do my best and rugby is that right now. It’s provided me with such a beautiful life and I’m grateful for rugby.”

On spending a lot of time at her old school in Auckland, Tamaki College, as a ‘community angel’ assisting troubled kids:

“I love going back to my old school. It gifted me so much growing up, and I think I go back just to give back. Through that, I think it fills my cup so that I can be a better teammate and player for those around me.”