Photo: www.photosport.nz / Juan Gasparini
World Rugby's rookie of the year Jorja Miller has set her sights on Olympic success alongside players she watched when she was at primary school.
The 20-year-old is the toast of Timaru - she is the current South Canterbury Sportsperson of the Year - and has the chance to seal the region's first ever gold medal.
The Black Ferns Sevens take on China overnight at 4am, then Canada at 7.30am.
South Canterbury has enjoyed some Olympic success over the last 16 years - track cyclist Marc Ryan (2008, 2012), shot putter Tom Walsh (2016, 2020) and trap shooter Natalie Rooney in 2016.
But it's been 88 years since it could claim a gold medallist - Jack Lovelock who went to Timaru Boys' High won the 1500m at the Berlin Olympics.
Miller recently signed a four-year contract with New Zealand Rugby which was "exciting and special", she says.
It also confirmed her right to be playing alongside the likes of legends Sarah Hirini and Portia Woodman-Wickliffe.
"I remember when I was at primary school I went down to Dunedin to see them and meet a few of them. That was really special and sparked a drive for me to play and be like them.
"So now to play with them, I give them a bit of banter for being old and they give it to me back."
However, she regards them as legends.
Her goals include winning Olympic gold as well as more world series titles after being part of the squad that won the 2023/2024 world series.
"I think I've got a lot more to give to this team so I'm excited to keep on going both on and off the field and see where that gets me."
Jorga Miller scores a try at the Singapore sevens. Photo: Photosport / Jayne Russell
Background:
Born: in Timaru on 8 February 2004
Growing up: Took up rugby early, playing with and against boys
Educated: Timaru Girls' High, Christchurch Girls' High
Influences: Dad Craig a club rugby stalwart, mum Tracey a South Canterbury rep
Interests: Highland dancing, basketball
Olympic event: Women's sevens
Achievements:
- Age-group representative for South Canterbury and South Island
- Named in NZ Condor sevens secondary schools' tournament team
- Played for Canterbury in Farah Palmer Cup
- First named for Black Ferns as a 17-year-old
- Part of Black Ferns world series winning team in 2023
- Won player of series several times at international sevens tournaments
- Named rookie of the year by World Rugby in 2023
- First woman signed to a four-year contract by New Zealand Rugby
Rugby focus early on
Miller is a talented highland dancer and hasn't given up hope of picking it up again after the Olympics.
However, she had high hopes to make her mark in rugby - so much so she left her home town to board in Christchurch in the hope of playing against stronger opposition.
Jorja Miller Photo: Supplied
She credits playing with and against boys up until her teens as being a major reason she doesn't mind the physicality of the sport.
Playing with boys "probably shaped me into the player I am .. my robustness, I guess,'' she told Stuff.
"I loved playing with the boys. When I moved to high school and had to play girls' rugby I was almost a bit bummed out."
As for the dancing, it "has added a lot to my game, especially with the stepping and agility", she says.
"Dancing is an individual sport and so you have to be determined and self motivated to train by yourself and do heaps of self-directed training which I think has certainly helped with my rugby."
