Kelly Brazier: 18 Years, 4 World Cups, New Coaching Chapter

After nearly two decades of making history on rugby fields around the world, Kelly Brazier is hanging up her boots to start an exciting new chapter as a coach.

The 36-year-old Black Ferns star made 44 test appearances for New Zealand and became only the second woman ever to play in four Rugby World Cups. Her trophy collection reads like a dream: two Rugby World Cups, two Sevens World Cups, seven World Series titles, Olympic gold, and Commonwealth gold.

Brazier returned from injury last year to play her first test since 2021, but she knew her body was telling her something. "I reached a point where both my body and mind started to feel the wear and tear, and I wanted to step away while I could still contribute at my best," she said.

Growing up in New Zealand, Brazier dreamed of representing her country at the Olympics like any other kid with big aspirations. She didn't just do it once—she did it multiple times, collecting medals at three different Olympic Games including gold and silver.

"It's truly been an honor and privilege to represent New Zealand and something I'll always hold close to my heart," Brazier reflected. She acknowledged her journey wasn't always smooth, but those challenging moments taught her the most about what she was capable of achieving.

Why This Inspires

Brazier isn't stepping away from rugby—she's diving deeper into it. While still playing, she worked with New Zealand Rugby to develop her coaching skills, assisting with the Global Youth Sevens and the New Zealand Development Sevens team.

She's now an assistant coach for Chiefs Manawa and previously coached in Japan for the Taiyo Seimei Women's Sevens Series. "My retirement decision came with exciting opportunities to transition into coaching, something that has always been a passion of mine," Brazier explained.

Black Ferns Sevens Head Coach Cory Sweeney called her a "true professional" and a "wahine trailblazer." He praised not just her world-class performance on the field, but her willingness to support, house, and nurture future athletes off it.

New Zealand Rugby's Steve Lancaster highlighted the remarkable impact Brazier has had across both rugby formats. Her long contribution to women's rugby in New Zealand has opened doors and shown young players what's possible when you combine talent with determination.

The knowledge Brazier gained from 18 years at the highest level of international competition is now being passed to the next generation of players who will chase their own Olympic dreams.