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25-year-old Black Ferns Sevens star announces shock retirement

By Alex McLeod
(Photo by Dan Mullan/Getty Images)

Black Ferns Sevens star Gayle Broughton has announced her retirement from rugby at the age of just 25.

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A statement released by New Zealand Rugby [NZR] on Saturday said that Broughton has opted to step away from her rugby career after her Black Ferns Sevens contract expired.

The 2020 Olympics gold medallist, 2016 Olympics silver medallist, 2018 Commonwealth Games gold medallist, 2018 Sevens World Cup champion and six-time World Sevens Series winner will now move to Australia to live with family.

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Since her Black Ferns Sevens debut as an 18-year-old in 2014, Broughton amassed 315 points across 112 World Sevens Series matches.

“I want to thank everyone who has played a part in my journey,” Brougthon said in a social media post.

“I want to thank everyone who has played a part in my journey, firstly thanks to those who gave this 16-year-old Hawera kid an opportunity of a lifetime.

“Making this decision was very hard but the never-ending love from the Black Ferns Sevens whanau has taught me it was the right time.

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“You taught me that I am more than just a rugby player, that through life I must be courageous and most of all to never stop being me.

“This game has taught me so much on and off the field, who knows what’s next but I’m extremely excited to see where this journey takes me.”

Black Ferns Sevens coach Cory Sweeney said the NZR sevens programme is proud of Broughton’s contributions since joining the national women’s sevens side as a teenager.

“Gayle joined the Black Ferns Sevens as a 16-year-old who had come from some challenges and we have watched her grow into an extremely talented rugby player and an even better person,” he said via a statement.

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“We are so proud of her, and while for now she is going in a different direction, she will always be big part of the legacy that is the Black Ferns Sevens. She goes with our blessing and knows she is always a part of our whanau and the door is always open.”

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Bull Shark 26 minutes ago
Why the All Blacks overlooking Joe Schmidt could yet hurt them in the Bledisloe battle

Every year we read about the Wallabies chances in the Bledisloe cup.


And every year the same result.


This time around the chances are even more slim. 1. This is the worst Australian side for some time. With or without Schmidt. He’s no miracle worker. 2. This is still a very good NZ team. Despite the absolute mess they’ve made around running the team. If Argentina can put 40 on Australia - NZ can put 40 on them. No problem.


It’s going to be a 20+ ball game in NZs favour. Minimum. And then NZ will be back in their public’s good books.


If they pump Australia again, they’ll be the next World Cup winners with Ireland. Shared.


Until the autumn tests of course. When NZ lose one or both games against the Irish and French and we’ll be back to this story again.


Ahh. The media and fans. So predictable and fickle.


The ABs will become consistent winners again once razors has had the opportunity to learn how to be an international coach. He’s only been doing it for a few months now.


Like I’ve said before. Razor waking in and blowing the competition out of the water is insulting to the many fantastic international coaches who has to work hard to get to that level of success. Even the great Henry and Hansen had to slum it in Wales.


If NZRU actually knew what they were doing they’d have developed their boy razor more. They’ve set him up for failure. They should have retained Foster (or Schmidt) instead of discarding him like a leper.


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