Maia Joseph Explained

Birth Date:[1]
Ru Position:First five-eighth, halfback
Relatives:Jamie Joseph (father)
Ru Provinceyears1:2020–
Ru Province1:Otago Spirit
Superyears1:2022
Super1:Chiefs Manawa
Superyears2:2024–
Super2:Matatū
Repyears1:2024
Repcaps1:1
Reppoints1:0
School:Columba College
University:University of Otago

Maia Joseph (born 25 May 2002) is a New Zealand rugby union player who plays at first five-eighth and halfback for Matatū.

Early life and family

Joseph is the daughter of Mandy Joseph and rugby union coach and former player Jamie Joseph. She began playing at under-5s level for Pōneke in Wellington. She grew up in Dunedin where she was educated at Columba College and played club rugby for University and Dunedin.[2] She studied medicine at the University of Otago, but placed her studies on hold when offered a full-time contract with New Zealand Rugby in 2024.[3]

Rugby union career

Domestic

Joseph played for Otago Spirit, making her Farah Palmer Cup debut for the Spirit in 2020 playing at first five-eighth.[4] She played for the Chiefs Manawa in the inaugural Super Rugby Aupiki competition in 2022. She won the Fiao'o Faamausili Medal FPC Player of the Year at the ASB Rugby Awards in December 2022.[5]

Torn ACL and MCL knee ligaments ruled her out of Super Rugby in 2023, but following rehabilitation she went on to play for the Black Ferns XV.[6] She then made her debut for Matatū where she transitioned from first five-eighth to halfback.[7] [6] She was named the Matatū’s rookie of the year at the end of the season.[8]

International

Joseph trained with the New Zealand rugby sevens team in July 2023.[9] In April 2024, she was given a full-time contract by the New Zealand women's national rugby union team.[10] [11] [12] She started in her test debut against the United States in the Pacific Four Series on 11 May 2024.[13] [14]

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Maia Joseph. 25 April 2024. Matatu.
  2. Web site: Familiar names: talent passes down generations. odt. 12 August 2020. Steve. Hepburn. 25 April 2024.
  3. Web site: Medical studies on hold as Maia Joseph earns Black Ferns contract. 1 News. 24 April 2024. Jordan. Oppert. April 22, 2024.
  4. Web site: Joseph a shining light as Spirit faces last chance to avoid drop. Otago Daily Times. 25 April 2024. 25 September 2021. Adrian. Seconi.
  5. Web site: MAIA JOSEPH WINS FPC PLAYER OF THE YEAR. Sporty.co.nz. 25 April 2024. 12 December 2022.
  6. Web site: 22 April 2024. 'Really special': Joseph gets Black Ferns contract. 24 April 2024. Otago Daily Times. Kayla. Hodge.
  7. Web site: Joseph enjoying time with Matatū. Otago Daily Times. 24 April 2024. 9 March 2024 .
  8. Web site: Joseph rookie of the year. 19 April 2024. Otago Daily Times. 24 April 2024.
  9. Web site: Schoolgirl to make debut for Spirit. odt. 25 April 2024. 28 July 2023. Adrian. Seconi.
  10. Web site: Maia Joseph one of five new faces in Black Ferns contracts. Stuff.co.nz. 24 April 2024. Joseph. Pearson. Mat. Kermeen. April 22, 2024.
  11. Web site: Otago Daily Times. 'Really special': Joseph gets Black Ferns contract. 22 April 2024. 25 April 2024.
  12. News: Rugby: Five potential debutants earn full-time Black Ferns contracts for 2024. Newshub. 25 April 2024. 22 April 2024.
  13. Web site: 2024-05-11 . Paul stars as Black Ferns kick off Pacific Four Series challenge with nine-try win over USA . 2024-05-12 . www.world.rugby.
  14. Web site: Julian . Adam . 2024-05-11 . Black Ferns kick off 2024 in emphatic fashion . 2024-05-12 . allblacks.com . en-NZ.