Kaipo Olsen-Baker of the Black Ferns with fans. Photo: © Photosport Ltd 2025 www.photosport.nz
Maia Joseph and Kaipo Olsen-Baker have never been to a Rugby World Cup and it will be the biggest highlight and biggest challenge of their careers.
The pair have been in camp with the Black Ferns in Wellington following last week's World Cup squad naming and with the team due to fly out to England for their title defence on 13 August, things have been getting pretty full on at training, with Joseph sporting a black eye.
"I got this the first training of camp last week. So, yeah I think the intensity's definitely gone up since being named in the World Cup squad. Everyone's really hungry and excited for the first game," Joseph said.
Maia Joseph playing for the Black Ferns. Photo: © Photosport Ltd 2024 www.photosport.nz
It will be the first major tournament for Joseph, Olsen-Baker and several other Black Ferns players, but there are still a large group of veterans in the World Cup squad who've either been to a previous tournament or an Olympic Games.
Halfback Joseph has been learning a lot about World Cup rugby.
"I've had really good conversations with Kelly Brazier. This is obviously her fourth World Cup. She's just kind of explained to us how different it is in terms of the pressure and the stakes and I guess the expectations on us as the Black Ferns.
"Most of her advice has been around being present, being really in the moment. I think her missing the last World Cup, she learnt that these things are very rare to be a part of.
"That's what I'm going to take into it and just try, on and off the field, to make the most of every moment over there."
Olsen-Baker can barely contain her excitement at the prospect of heading to England, but she concedes there will be times it could be difficult.
"Definitely being away from my family would be a huge challenge. I'm such a family person," Olsen-Baker said.
"So being halfway across the world, I guess, is a big challenge, but Maya's parents and them are coming, so that's like my second family, which is nice."
Kaipo Olsen-Baker of New Zealand. Photo: Andrew Cornaga/www.photosport.nz
For Olsen-Baker, her first World Cup appearance feels like a long time coming. She made her Black Ferns debut in 2022 but injury meant the loose forward didn't feature at the the 2021 World Cup in New Zealand (played in 2022).
"Just can't wait to play some footy. I was literally watching training last week and I'm like, oh my god itchy feet. I can't wait to get back out on the field."
Injury also curtailed Joseph's chances of playing at the last World Cup, but watching the Black Ferns win the title reaffirmed her desire to play at the global tournament.
"I was actually at home (during the last World Cup final). I had just ruptured my ACL and I had just had surgery so I was at home watching with my mum.
"I think it was really inspiring watching that game and seeing how New Zealand got behind the Black Ferns. Watching them win in front of a sold out Eden Park, that was definitely a pivotal moment in me wanting to experience the same thing. I'm just really excited to go to be honest."
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