That footwork has to come from somewhere.
Olivia Fowler was a talented touch player growing up, pulling on the black singlet as an age-group representative and was called into the open women’s national team until Covid put paid to that.
‘‘There’s nothing more special than putting on a black jersey.
‘‘It makes everyone so proud,’’ Fowler said.
The sport continues to be a big part of her life, as she recently joined Otago Touch as a development officer - ‘‘that’s how much I love it’’ - helping grow the game throughout the region.
All that silky footwork, agility and ball work has helped her flourish on another field, as the starting fullback for the Otago Spirit this season.
The 22-year-old is loving her second season with the Spirit, having debuted for the side in 2022.
An ACL and ankle injury kept her sidelined for the past two seasons, but she has returned strong, scoring two tries and setting up countless others in the Farah Palmer Cup Championship.
‘‘I love playing for the Spirit. It’s so cool being in a team where every one takes ... it seriously, but also have so much fun as well.’’
That translates on the field when her impressive footwork has helped the Spirit sneak down the sideline and score.
They put in the work preseason to earn the right to go edge-to-edge and Fowler said they were making other teams work hard against them.
Rugby was always part of her household growing up, watching her brothers play and, when Fowler started at Columba College, she decided to get involved.
She played for Otago under-16 and under-18 teams and joined University after she left school.
That led to her selection for the New Zealand Universities team in 2022, when they played against the New Zealand Defence Force, and 2025, when they played the Reds in Brisbane.
‘‘It was such a cool experience.’’
The Spirit celebrate a special milestone - 25 years of the Spirit name - when they run out against Taranaki Whio at Tahuna Park this afternoon.
The union is hosting a reunion, where Fowler could catch up with former Spirit players and former teacher Rachel Smart, former University coach Helen Littleworth and former University team-mate and Black Fern Victoria Subritzky-Nafatali.
‘‘Twenty-five years with Spirit is crazy. I can’t wait to go meet some of my old teachers and coaches,’’ Fowler said.
Madison Flutey gets her first start at first five, as do Rikki Fitzgerald at lock and Te Atawhai Campbell on the wing. Centre Cheyenne Cunningham returns from injury and will get her first taste of the Farah Palmer Cup this season off the bench.
The Spirit will lock in a home semifinal and remain unbeaten if they beat the winless Whio this afternoon.
Farah Palmer Cup
Tahuna Park, 2.05pm
Otago Spirit: Olivia Fowler, Te Atawhai Campbell, Charlotte Va’afusuaga, Naomi Sopoaga, Jamie Church, Madison Flutey, Abigail Paton, Greer Muir, Sarah Jones, Ella Gomez, Rikki Fitzgerald, Leila Hill, Eilis Doyle, Tegan Hollows, Isla Pringle.
Reserves: Hannah Lithgow, Lucy Cahill, Rebekah Wirau, Samarra Soper, Kayley Johnson, Georgia Cormick, Cheyenne Cunningham, Sasha Scott.
Taranaki Whio: Hayley Coogan, Rocki Robinson, Zeta Barber, Danielle Muggeridge, Phoenix Fraser, Rosie Moffitt, Portia Huffam, Briana Poingdestre, Pareake O’Brien, Charlotte Webby, Gemma Gardner-Harrison, Brooke Neilson, Ashley Otene, Michelle Hurley, Tangini Latu.
Reserves: Caitlin Hunger, Catherine Butler, Mereana Anderson, Grace Brough, Libby Francis, Danika Northcott Weherua, Amelia Parata, Kiara Katene.
