Player Patricia Maliepo

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Patricia Maliepo

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Patricia Maliepo (born 13 March 2003) is a New Zealand rugby union player. She is a first five-eighth for Auckland and New Zealand.

Maliepo's brother, Moa, plays internationally for Romania.

Maliepo debuted for Auckland in the Farah Palmer Cup as a 16-year-old in 2019. She impressed for the New Zealand Barbarians in 2020 against the Black Ferns. In 2021 she was named in the Blues women's squad for their historic Super Rugby match. She later made her Black Ferns debut off the bench when they played England in Exeter and appeared in three of four test matches against England and France.

Maliepo played for the Blues against the Chiefs in the first-ever women's Super Rugby match in New Zealand on 1 May 2021. On 3 November 2021, She was named in the Blues squad for the inaugural Super Rugby Aupiki competition.

Maliepo was named in the Blues starting line up for their first game, she scored a try against Matatū in their 21–10 victory. She also started in their 0–35 thrashing by the Chiefs Manawa in the final round.

Maliepo was initially named in the Black Ferns squad for the 2022 Pacific Four Series but was ruled out due to concussion.

 

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BLUES CAREER STATS​

Position
First Five-Eighth/Fullback
Blues debut
2021 v Chiefs
Blues caps
21
Blues points
33

Patricia is another talented back from the Auckland region. She burst on the scene in the 2019 Farah Palmer Cup at just 16-years-young and instantly turned heads with her creative style of play.  

Maliepo is now in her fifth season with the nib Blues and has the honour of scoring the first ever women’s Super Rugby try for the team back in 2021.   

Her attacking prowess was on display in the 2023 version of the competition, cutting opposition defences apart on several occasions. Maliepo’s Aupiki campaign combined with a strong back-end to the FPC for Auckland saw her recalled to the Black Ferns for the first time since 2021. 

Maliepo can play a range of positions and in the 2024 championship campaign she excelled at fullback, with her ability to read the game at the back invaluable in unleashing the dangerous nib Blues backline.

She continues to be selected in Black Ferns squads and it will be interesting to see how the nib Blues utilise her wide skillset in the 2025 Sky Super Rugby Aupiki campaign.

Patricia Maliepo Player Profile — Blues Rugby

Find out more about Patricia Maliepo and her history playing for the Blues Super Rugby Aupiki team.

www.blues.rugby

 

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by Florence Vea

SCC Shout out to Patricia Maliepo - Black Ferns selection success for Rugby World Cup 2022​

Florence Vea - September 7, 2021

Patricia Maliepo Southern Cross Campus Alumni student of 2020 has been selected into the Black Ferns Rugby World Cup team.
We congratulate Patricia on her selection into the Black Ferns team and will play in the Women's Rugby World Cup that will be held 8th October - 12th November 2022.

Our New Zealand Black Ferns are the Incumbent World Champions and 5x RWC Winners. It is exciting that Patricia will be part of NZ history as this is the first time that the Black Ferns will defend their title on home-soil in front of a home crowd.

Patricia played a big part in girls rugby and sports at SCC. Her leadership within sports at SCC was recognized as she was named sportswoman for 2019. Outside of SCC rugby she was a member of the Marist Rugby Club and plays in the Auckland Storm Rugby team in the Farah Palmer Cup.

We are all very proud of you Patricia and hope to have you back at SCC so we can celebrate your selection with you.

SCC Shout out to Patricia Maliepo - Black Ferns selection success for Rugby World Cup 2022

Patricia Maliepo Southern Cross Campus Alumni student of 2020 has been selected into the Black Ferns Rugby World Cup team.

hail.to

 

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View: https://www.facebook.com/watch/?v=242937374417817​

 

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View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QOq-J_bwdK0​

 

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Black Ferns fly-half Patricia Maliepo​

Sarah Mockford
December 21, 2021

The playmaker made her New Zealand debut aged just 18

Patricia Maliepo made her New Zealand debut in the 2021 autumn series (Getty Images)

Hotshot: Black Ferns fly-half Patricia Maliepo

Date of birth 13 March 2003 Position Fly-half Club Auckland Country New Zealand

When did you first get involved in rugby?
In 2012 at Marist Old Boys alongside my nephew and cousin. I was always that competitive team-mate, even though I was the only female. I got Player of the Year for my first year.

What do you most enjoy about rugby?
Growing up, I enjoyed playing because you could go hard on the field. Leading into my college years it was more about my team-mates and the friendships I built, having the same goal in winning a match and working for each other so that all things on the field fall into place.

Your childhood heroes?
My parents. Every day they ensured I had enough food, drove me to my trainings. They have been my number one supporters.

What are your strengths and work-ons?
I’m a triple-threat player – strengths in kicking, passing and running. Work-ons would have to be my communication off the field as well as on the field.

Who has been the biggest influence on your career?
So far it would have to be Linda Itunu. Because of who she is not just on the field but off it. I got to play with her before she retired and, man, what a player! She’s inspired me in so many ways that I want to do the same for my Pasifika family and females looking to take on rugby as a professional sport.

How does it feel to be part of the Black Ferns squad?
A dream come true. It is surreal but being a Black Fern just makes you want to work and work and work.

What do you want to achieve in the next year?
To work on building myself outside of rugby. Growing up, it was always rugby, rugby, rugby, but now I want to explore areas off the pitch and look into purchasing a house.

What do you do away from rugby?
I finished college last year and decided to take a gap year, knowing it was World Cup year. From the postponement, I’ve worked as a freight sorter at Post Haste.

RW Verdict: She describes herself as a “female Beauden Barrett” and there are hopes she can enjoy similar success in the black jersey. She’s stood out at fly-half for Auckland and played in the Black Ferns’ Tests against England and France in autumn 2021.

This article originally appeared in Rugby World’s December 2021 edition.

Black Ferns fly-half Patricia Maliepo – Rugby World Hotshot

Hotshot: Black Ferns fly-half Patricia Maliepo. The Auckland playmaker made her New Zealand debut aged just 18 in autumn 2021

www.rugbyworld.com

 

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Black Fern Maliepo switches codes to play in NRLW
Richard Becht & photosport.nz
Wed 16 Apr 2025, 03:00 pm


Patricia Maliepo has become the latest Black Ferns rugby union international to switch codes after signing a one-year deal to join the One New Zealand Warriors for their return to the NRLW this season.

The 22-year-old 10-Test Black Fern has been confirmed as the club’s 23rd squad member just days after helping the Blues win the Super Rugby Aupiki title for the second straight year.

Primarily a first five-eighth, Maliepo is one of a number of rugby union players signed to join the Warriors led by Black Ferns Michaela Brake (née Blyde), Tysha Ikenasio and Shakira Baker.

“We are excited to have Patricia joining our whānau,” said One New Zealand Warriors NRLW head coach Ron Griffiths.

“She has an exceptional skill set, equally adept with her running, kicking and passing game.

“She also has wonderful vision and we are looking forward to her developing playing an instinctive game with the freedom to do so.”

Educated at Edgewater College and Southern Cross Campus, the prodigious Maliepo was a 16-year-old student when she made her debut for Auckland in the Farah Palmer Cup in 2019.

“I’ve seen girls move out of rugby union into rugby league and I’ve always wanted (to do it) but never thought it would come this early,” said Maliepo.



“Ever since I got a call from Ron I’ve been excited. I’m really excited for the new change and the new challenges.

“I felt the timing was right when Ron reached out to me. The vibe he gave me wasn’t one full of bull.

“I don’t think I’ve ever come across a coach who approached me and spoke to me in a way that changed my whole perspective of being in a new environment.”

Maliepo had the distinction of playing for the Blues in the first-ever women’s Super Rugby match against the Chiefs in 2021 before she made her Black Ferns Test debut against England later that year as an 18-year-old.

With Maliepo being signed, the Warriors now have one more spot to fill in their squad of 24 for the 2025 NRLW season.


Profile | Patricia Maliepo
Born: March 13, 2003
Birthplace: Auckland, NZ
Club team (rugby union): Marist
Position: First five-eighth
Height: 175cm
Weight: 82kg
Farah Palmer Cup (rugby union): Auckland Storm (2019-2023)
Appearances: 26
Points: 174 (11 tries, 49 conversions, 7 penalties)
Super Rugby Aupiki (rugby union): Blues (2021-2025)
Appearances: 20
Points: 33 (5 tries, 4 conversions)
Honours (rugby union):
International: Black Ferns (2021-2024)
Tests: 10
Points: 17 (3 tries, 1 conversion)
Representative: New Zealand Barbarians (2020)
Appearances: 2
Points: 12 (3 conversions, 2 penalties)

Black Fern Maliepo switches codes to play in NRLW

Patricia Maliepo latest Black Ferns code switcher signing with Warriors for 2025 NRLW season.

www.warriors.kiwi