Tonga (left), PNG and Vanuatu combined team at the International Defence Rugby competition in Auckland Photo: NZDF
The first-ever women's International Defence Rugby competition is underway in Auckland, bringing together military partners from around the world in efforts to combine the participants' sporting passions with their professional lives.
The tournament includes service personnel from eight countries, including Papua New Guinea in a combination side with Vanuatu's women's police rugby team.
Other countries represented include New Zealand, Australia, Fiji, France, Tonga, and the UK.
Engineering Officer for the NZ Defence force Jokaveti Waqanivalu said although she is representing New Zealand on the field, she's proud to be Fijian and that the tournament is an opportunity for her to connect with her country of heritage.
France vs Tonga at the International Defence Rugby competition in Auckland. Photo: NZDF
"Having come from that background and knowing how we've come to where we're at now it's just a little bit easier to talk to them to approach them and for them to approach us, a familiar face in a different country just to be as welcoming as we can be as well."
A Royal New Zealand Navy commander said the competition is beneficial for women's sports.
Commander Julie Fitzell said the calibre of the teams is 'exceptionally high'.
She said the competition contributes to the personal development of each participant.
"The platform that is starting to develop now for these women is brilliant, in terms of the development and the opportunities that are starting to present themselves - it's brilliant for women's rugby it's brilliant for women's sport in general," she said.
The competition ends on Sunday.
