Rugby really is a global game these days.
Classy University and Otago Spirit first five-eighth Michaela Baker played a key role in the dramatic 17-13 win against Pirates in the final at Logan Park on Saturday night.
But the next time she laces up her boots she will be in Little Rock, Arkansas.
The 21-year-old left for the United States yesterday. She has been recruited by the American Rugby professional training centre and will spend the next two months imparting her knowledge and playing on an American circuit.
It is a wonderful opportunity for the fourth-year University of Otago physical education student.
"I'm quite excited and a little nervous,'' she said with the mud still fresh on her knees from her efforts in the final.
"They get girls from around the world to come and play and to help build women's rugby.''
Baker's kicking game was instrumental in helping University turn around the big Pirates pack. But she also made a telling break to help set up the second of Victoria Nafatali-Subritzky's tries.
Her ball distribution was excellent and she read the game very well, so she will be a handy asset once in the American system, perhaps too handy.
So will you be training them up and helping wake rugby's sleeping giant?
"Oh well, I'll give them some advice I suppose. Just give them some of our knowledge because we're quite good at rugby.''
Her flights and accommodation costs have been provided for and there is some money available for other expenses as well. But mostly it is about the opportunity.
Her friend, Julie Ferguson, recruits for American Rugby and approached Baker with the opportunity. There was not a lot of persuasion required.
"She asked me if I wanted to go over and I said, 'Yeah, definitely - a free trip'.''
Baker expects she will miss a couple of the Spirit's early games but plans to return and is keen to play for the side again. She expects to be doing plenty of training in the States and should return very fit.
