E53 | Sarah Hirini

Episode summary | Sarah Hirini

Sarah Hirini has literally won it all!

In Rugby Sevens she is an Olympic Games gold medallist, a Commonwealth Games gold medallist, a Rugby World Cup Sevens winner and a six-time World Rugby Sevens Series winner. Throw in a Rugby World Cup with the Black Ferns and was a flagbearer for New Zealand at the Tokyo Olympics.

And while Sarah's playing CV is impressive, her personality shines through and it’s easy to understand why she is held in such high regard by everyone she plays with. Honey Hireme Smiler puts it best saying “there’s no fakeness there”. She oozes class and control, while also being so open and honest.

We talk about her rugged rural upbringing, leadership, the emotional rollercoaster of the last six months, and of course, the best yarns from leading the Black Ferns Sevens to gold in Tokyo.

A special thanks to Sarah for being so open about the loss of her mum, there were parts in this episode when we were all in tears.

Show notes | Sarah Hirini

2.05 Day 8 in MIQ for Sarah

4.54 Talking about the Gold medal and a shout out to the Golden Stable at Cultivate Group

6.32 Honey Hireme-Smiler on Gossy and leadership

16.55 Tokyo Olympics: 0-21 against Great Britain at halftime and the semi-final v Fiji

23.57 The Gold Medal match

31.28 Reflections on the New Zealand team at the Olympics

34.12 Sarah on the loss of her mum and emotion

41.34 Being named as flagbearer for New Zealand

48.02 That interview with Ruby Tui

51.00 #1-21: The closeness of the Black Ferns Sevens

55.10 Feilding High School, growing up rural, and starting out in rugby

1.03.12 Te Ao Māori and connecting with whakapapa

1.06.24 Support at home

1.10.14 Reflecting on the disappointment of Rio

1.12.46 Winning everything! What keeps Sarah going?

1.16.11 Nikki Minaj and Super Bass

1.17.50 Last words from Steven, Seamus and Sarah