FORMER IRELAND 15s and 7s player Sene Naoupu has been appointed CEO of North Otago Rugby Football Union.
Naoupu moved to Ireland in 2009 and said she is looking forward to returning home to New Zealand.
“I’m honoured to be appointed CEO of my home provincial union,” Naoupu said. “This role holds deep, personal significance as I return to where my rugby journey began after 15 years abroad.”
The 40-year-old made her Ireland 15s debut in 2015. She went on to earn 48 caps, scoring six tries, before retiring in 2022.
In 2016 she was named the Rugby Writers Women’s Player of the Year and the Women’s Player of the Year.
Naoupu represented Galwegians from 2011-16 and also donned the colours of Old Belvedere, Connacht and Leinster during her time in Ireland.
Away from the field, Naoupu worked at a strategic level with sports governing bodies, and did broadcasting and rugby development work.
“I recently shared with Kevin Potts (IRFU CEO) how, 15 years ago when I left home, New Zealand was the envy of the rugby world. Now, as I return, Ireland holds that distinction,” Naoupu said.
As long as BOD can walk onto the pitch, he should be Captain!!
I agree with Noel – why all the red thumbs !? – O’Driscoll should be captain.
Its the whole as long as he can walk bit. Nobody is bigger than any team…
Well… I believe a captain should always be a forward. But, BOD is a talisman. While he’s fit and picked leave him b. After that… Well, there are a few outstanding candidates brewing around the provinces…
No, the best man to captain a rugby team is always a forward. My shout would be Stephen Ferris
As fine a player as he is, I don’t think Ferris is captain material
Author, have some bottle and don’t tell the reader “the answer is yes” let the reader decide for themselves. It is a valid question to ask, and I can see your reason for being a little scared no press person dares speak ill of BOD. He has earned that respect in fairness, although his game against scarlets was shocking hope his form improves soon he wont get in to the Lions team on current form, Jonathan Davies and Jamie Roberts/Tuilagi are well ahead as it is now.
A captain has to lead on and off the pitch. nRef’s listen to BOD other players listen to BOD he has earned a respect above with only PoC in the current squad to compare with. nThere is no better 13 on this island and this earls stuff does earls no favours. He’s a winger and a very very good one but at 13 his defence is average and he can’t/wont pass the ball. He wants to play 13, well I want to fly the space shuttle neither are good ideas. nAs far as a forward as captain goes every team has a pack leader so why not allow a back to lead the team as the ref will talk to pack leader and captain too, helps if ref takes a dislike to one or the other. nAs for ferris the man has never put a run of games together, every third or forth game we’d need someone to step in. Not a good idea. n