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Sevens star Michaela Brake has confirmed her return to the Black Ferns Sevens after signing with New Zealand Rugby until the end of 2027.
The two-time Olympic gold medallist’s news comes after a year-long pause on her remarkable sporting career for the birth of baby Harvey in March.
A then-pregnant Brake signed her new contract in late 2025 with NZR’s support through maternity leave and confidence she would be fit and ready to return to training in 2026.
Brake, 30, said she was looking forward to easing back into the Black Ferns Sevens environment in the coming months, but knew she would have to fight for her place.
‘‘The last nine months have been humbling. Pregnancy has been a journey and it’s made me appreciate women’s bodies a lot more than I did before.
‘‘The arrival of my son Harvey has been such a joy and I’m now in a place mentally where I want to come back.
‘‘I love this team and this game so much. It’s been incredibly exciting watching the young talent come through. They’ve stepped up massively this year and I’m so proud of them.
‘‘But when I come back, I’m going to be that aunty that’s annoying, and I’m going to be fighting for my position.’’
Brake expects some ‘‘trial and error’’ as she eases back into training but knows she has the full support of her family, coaches and team-mates.
‘‘I now call myself a fulltime mum and a part-time rugby player because the wellbeing of my son comes first, so the fact I’m able to still be able to play rugby and come back to the Black Ferns Sevens is such a privilege.’’
Brake, the most prolific try-scorer in women’s sevens with 273, last wore the Black Ferns Sevens jersey in May 2025 in Los Angeles, where New Zealand were crowned World Series winners for the eighth time.
Black Ferns Sevens coach Cory Sweeney said he was looking forward to Brake’s fulltime return to the team later in the year.
‘‘Michaela is hugely important to our group, not only for what she brings to the field but also as a positive influence in the way she carries herself and the intensity, focus and professionalism she brings to training every day,’’ Sweeney said.
‘‘She has stayed connected with our group, but we’re looking forward to officially welcoming her back to the environment.’’
Sweeney said there was no hard deadline on her return to play.
‘‘She’s a remarkable athlete and incredibly competitive, but we’ll take our time and manage her transition back into training through the second half of the year.’’ — Allied Media