Manuel and McAfee join Hall of Fame

World Rugby have announced two new additions to the Hall fo Fame, bringin the total number of women in recognised (since women were first admitted in 2018) to 12. There are also 142 men and men's teams.

HURIANA MANUEL-CARPENTER (NEW ZEALAND)

Born: 8 August, 1986 in Auckland, New Zealand

A tough athlete physically and mentally, Manuel was a brilliant dual international who knew her way to the try line for New Zealand in both sevens and 15s.

As captain of New Zealand women’s sevens, the Aucklander led the side to the inaugural HSBC World Rugby Sevens Series title and to Rugby World Cup Sevens glory in 2013, and was also captain when the side successfully defended the series title the following year.

Having overcome the setback of a serious ankle injury in 2014, Manuel went to the Rio 2016 Olympic Games and made a big impression, scoring tries against Kenya and France in the pool stage and in the semi-final against Great Britain. But she did not get the 30th birthday present she had wished for when playing against Australia, finishing with a silver medal, not gold, on her big day.

In 15s, Manuel was a two-time Rugby World Cup winner (2006 and 2010) and the centre had an impressive strike rate of 15 tries from 25 test appearances from 2005-14.

Rugby is in Manuel’s genes as she is one half of the first mother and daughter combination to play for the Black Ferns. Her mother, Liza Mihinui, played three games at hooker for New Zealand.

CHERYL McAFEE (AUSTRALIA)

Born: 23 September, 1975 in Auckland, New Zealand

McAfee’s place in Australian rugby history was assured when she led her country to glory in the inaugural women’s Rugby World Cup Sevens competition in Dubai in March 2009.

The dramatic sudden-death, extra-time victory over trans-Tasman rivals New Zealand concluded a successful tournament for herself and her team, with the quick-thinking back having announced her arrival at the tournament with a try in the first-ever game against China.

Later that year, McAfee’s pioneering spirit was embraced by World Rugby who invited her to become a member of the bid team that would successfully campaign for rugby sevens‘ inclusion in the Olympic programme.

A scrum-half in 15s, McAfee also captained her country with distinction in the longer format of the game, from 2007-10, including at Rugby World Cup 2010 in England, where her nine-year, 21-cap career in test rugby ended with a bronze medal.

In 2012, she joined World Rugby’s Rugby Committee, becoming a key voice in helping to drive forward policies that positively impact on the women’s game.