English-born hooker, who grew up in New Zealand, will face two Feilding High School friends in Saturday’s final at Eden Park
For one secondary school in rural Manawatu to be supplying three players in the same Rugby World Cup final is notable in itself. Even more remarkable is the fact that one of the trio, Amy Cokayne, will be wearing a white jersey, aiming to be “the villain” who dashes her friends’ childhood dreams of Eden Park glory.
The English-born hooker emigrated to New Zealand with her family when she was nine after her father was recruited by the New Zealand Air Force. As a teenager she was almost claimed by the Black Ferns but ended up choosing the Red Roses instead, placing her in direct opposition to her longstanding friend Sarah Hirini (née Goss) and another Feilding High School former pupil, Georgia Ponsonby.
Written by Robert Kitson in Auckland
This news first appeared on https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2022/nov/08/amy-cokayne-school-reunion-womens-rugby-world-cup-final-england-new-zealand under the title “Cokayne ready for school reunion in heat of Rugby World Cup final battle”. Bolchha Nepal is not responsible or affiliated towards the opinion expressed in this news article.
