Naoupu Announces Retirement From International Rugby
Sene Naoupu represented Ireland in both 15s and Sevens, starring at European level and also on the world stage ©INPHO/Ryan Byrne
Sene Naoupu has today announced her retirement from international rugby. A dual 15s and Sevens international, she made her debut in 2015 and was part of the squad that won the Women’s Six Nations Championship that season.
Naoupu won 48 caps for Ireland, scoring six international tries and played in the 2017 Rugby World Cup on home soil.
The strong-running centre’s final appearance was in Ireland’s dramatic late 15-14 win over Scotland in the TikTok Women’s Six Nations in April this year. She was named the Guinness Rugby Writers of Ireland Women’s Player of the Year in 2016.
In an interview with the Irish Times, Naoupu said: “I’ve been involved in the national programme for the last 10 years and I’ve given all I can. Like the other girls, I’ve dedicated my heart and soul to serve the team in the green jersey and I consider it a privilege that I get to retire on my own terms.
“I’m at peace to evolve away from the international stage as a player, knowing I gave it everything I had.
“I want to acknowledge the giants of Irish rugby whose shoulders we stood on, I got to play alongside some of those Irish rugby legends.
“I genuinely wanted to thank Ireland for accepting me, for accepting me as their own and embracing me as a custodian of the green jersey.
“It really was a privilege to play for Ireland and earn the right to represent you on the world stage. While I’m very proud of where I come from, I’m also very proud to be Irish. That means everything to me and my family.”