Amy Cokayne: The English rugby player and RAF officer with a Kiwi past

Amy Cokayne: From New Zealand pitches to the elite of English rugby

Fielding High School, a breeding ground for rugby legends, has paved the way for Amy Cokayne, the only “Red Rose” in a list that includes All Blacks Aaron Smith, Codie Taylor, the Whitelock brothers, and the iconic Sarah Goss. Although Cokayne is English by birth, her story has a chapter in New Zealand, where she moved as a child due to her father’s work in the Royal New Zealand Air Force. The decision was sudden, as Cokayne herself relates:

“I think my dad saw the application a day before the deadline, so he called my mum and asked her: ‘How would you feel if we moved to New Zealand?’”

Amy Cokayne

In six months, the family was in New Zealand, a change that would mark the player’s destiny.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d-G1g3f-S1E

This relocation was the starting point for Cokayne to become one of the best hookers in the world. In a family passionate about rugby, Cokayne quickly joined the sport. She led her school team with 53 consecutive victories, quickly rising through the youth categories. The Manawatu team recruited her as a teenager, and after receiving medical clearance, her parents signed an authorization. Thus began her career. The experience in the Women’s Provincial Championship (now Farah Palmer Cup) was crucial for her development, honing the player she is today.

Cokayne acknowledges the importance of his time in New Zealand:

“I definitely wouldn’t be the player I am now, nor would I have the experience I have, if I hadn’t gone to New Zealand. The simple fact of being able to play women’s rugby from the age of 13, playing against the Black Ferns, was incredible.”

Amy Cokayne

Although she was invited to a training camp with the Black Ferns, Cokayne chose to represent England, returning to her native country. Cokayne’s connection to the armed forces is another important facet of his life, just like his father, his grandfather and his brother, Amy also has military experience.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p3lH-h3X200

After the defeat in the 2017 World Cup final, Cokayne decided to join the Royal Air Force, seeking stability outside of professional rugby at that time.

“After the defeat [in the final], I thought I needed something outside of rugby. We weren’t professional at the time… so I thought I needed to find a career outside of rugby.”

Amy Cokayne

After a year away from the sport to focus on her military career, Cokayne’s passion for rugby resurfaced, dreaming of winning the World Cup in New Zealand.

However, fate did not smile on him. Despite scoring a hat-trick, England lost the final against the Black Ferns at Eden Park. A defeat that is still present. Since the start of the 2025 tournament against the United States, that is the “Red Roses'” only defeat in 61 matches. Now, Cokayne and the English team are determined to prevent this from happening for the third consecutive time.