Charmaine Smith

After being side-lined with injury and subsequently announcing her retirement from the game in 2020, fast forward to 2023, Charmaine Smith was a standout performer for the Chiefs Manawa in Sky Super Rugby Aupiki and Northland during the Farah Palmer Cup, presented by Bunnings Warehouse. Her consistent performances across the competitions earnt her selection and a return to the Black Ferns jersey taking the field against Australia, for the O’Reilly Cup, presented by Ryman Healthcare.

In the space of just over two years, Charmaine went from rugby rookie to Women’s Rugby World Cup winner in 2017. The rise has made Smith one of the success stories of the Black Ferns and women’s rugby development in general.

Originally from a netball background and having also represented North Harbour in sevens, she was promoted to the Black Ferns and appeared in all three Tests of the 2015 Women’s Super Series in Canada after just five games of club rugby for East Coast Bays.

Away from rugby, the mother of one serves her Northland community, as a Police officer.