Jorja Miller extends contract with New Zealand Rugby through 2029
Jorja Miller has extended her contract with New Zealand Rugby until 2029. The Black Ferns Sevens player, who also features in the fifteens format, expressed her continued motivation and desire to develop further in her career.
Miller, who is 22 years old, has already achieved an Olympic gold medal and is a two-time SVNS Series champion. She has also been named World Rugby Sevens Player of the Year twice and is the youngest recipient of the Kelvin R. Tremain Memorial Player of the Year award since Jonah Lomu. Despite these accomplishments, Miller believes she is still in the early stages of her potential.
Commitment to the Black Ferns Sevens and Future Goals
Miller’s decision to re-sign beyond the 2028 Olympics is driven by her ambition to grow as a teammate and leader. She stated her goal to “change the game” and feels she has more to contribute to the jersey and its legacy. Her primary commitment is to the Black Ferns Sevens, with a focus on securing another Olympic gold medal.
She also noted the upcoming British & Irish Lions tour to New Zealand as an exciting prospect, though she is unsure what her involvement might entail at this stage. Miller’s commitment reflects her daily drive to inspire and influence her team to achieve new milestones.
Black Ferns Sevens Head Coach Cory Sweeney commented on Miller’s development, highlighting her growth as a leader both on and off the field. He noted her value extends beyond the tries she scores and creates, and expressed excitement for her future contributions, particularly as she is considered to be entering her prime.
Inspiring the Next Generation
Miller’s journey began as a highland dancer in Timaru before she moved to Christchurch Girls High School to pursue her rugby aspirations. She gained national attention at the Condor Sevens tournament in 2019, where she scored a game-winning try in the semi-final and four tries in the final. She has since accumulated 111 tries in 118 games for the Black Ferns Sevens, in addition to seven Tests for the Black Ferns in fifteens.
Hailing from Timaru, Miller takes pride in her small-town origins, viewing them as proof that success is achievable regardless of one’s starting point. She credits the opportunities and support she received throughout her schooling for her current position and the values she learned, such as the importance of hard work.
New Zealand Rugby Chief Executive Steve Lancaster praised Miller as an ambassador for the sport in New Zealand, citing her ability to inspire young boys and girls to play rugby. He described her rise from Timaru to become a top player in both Sevens and New Zealand rugby in 2024 as a testament to her talent, commitment, and loyalty.
New Zealand Rugby Sevens High-Performance Lead Hannah Porter added that Miller has set a high standard for women’s rugby in her relatively short career. Porter believes this is just the beginning for Miller, with more significant achievements anticipated during an expanding women’s rugby calendar.
Miller signed her first contract as a 19-year-old in 2022.
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Source: rugbypass.com
