Naoupu retires from international rugby as Ireland prepare for Japan

Ireland’s Sene Naoupu has retired from international rugby, with the 38-year old announcing the decision yesterday.

Having made her debut in 2015, she went on to win the Women’s Six Nations Championship that season as well as compete in the World Cup in 2017. The last time she played for Ireland was their late Six Nations win over Scotland this April.

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,” she told the Irish Times.

Tributes have poured in for the New Zealand native from Ireland teammates Enya Breen and Katie O’Dwyer as they prepare for their opening test against Japan on Saturday. “I came in as a young centre and she mentored me in that capacity. I probably wouldn’t be where I am today without some of her guidance and some of her tips that I’ve gotten from her,” Breen told RTÉ Sport.

Breen played alongside Naoupu in the last two games of this year’s Six Nations against England Scotland. She wished the Leinster centre the best of luck and said her contribution to Irish rugby “can’t be underestimated.”

Katie O’Dwyer also had some words on the 2016 Rugby Writers of Ireland Women’s Player of the Year. “She’s been a huge part in all of our journeys, whether at club level, interprovincial or Ireland,” said O’Dwyer.

“She will always be the first person to put the arm around you and give you a dig out when you need it. I know the off-pitch stuff for her, she’s pushed hard to change the game. I think us as a squad, we wish her all the best,” she added.

After coming to Ireland in 2009 and debuting for the rugby team in 2015, Naoupu made 48 caps and scored six tries in her test career. In a press release from Irish Rugby, she said “It really was a privilege to play for Ireland and earn the right to represent you on the world stage.”

The news comes as Ireland prepare for the Japan game on the weekend in Shizuoka. They’ve been training at their Hamamatsu base since Friday. The game gets underway at 11am Irish time on Saturday.