Amy Cokayne’s high school is known for its connection to rugby royalty.
Prominent figures such as Aaron Smith, Codie Taylor, the Whitelock brothers (Sam, Luke, George, Adam), and the Black Ferns and sevens rugby legend, Sarah Goss, have been alumni of Fielding High School, located near Palmerston North on the North Island of New Zealand.
However, Cokayne is the only Red Roses player to have emerged from this institution.
Although she represents England, at some point she was on the radar of the Black Ferns, after she moved to New Zealand as a child, due to her father, Ian, being transferred to the Royal New Zealand Air Force.
The family move happened unexpectedly.
I think he saw the request with a day for the closing, so I think he called my mother and said: ‘How would you feel about moving to New Zealand?’
Amy Cokayne
England rugby player Amy Cokayne talks about how growing up in New Zealand helped her rugby career and why she moved there in the first place.
His mother replied that they would talk about the proposal when he returned home, but his father insisted that he needed an immediate answer. In six months, they were already living in New Zealand.Cokayne’s career as one of the world’s best hookers began with this move. She grew up in a family passionate about rugby and quickly got involved in the sport. She led her high school team to 53 consecutive victories and quickly rose through the youth categories.
The domestic team Manawatu wanted to recruit her as a teenager and, after obtaining a doctor’s approval to ensure her body could handle it, her parents signed a waiver. Thus, she began her career in rugby.
Participating in the Women’s Provincial Championship (now the Farah Palmer Cup) provided her with a perfect rugby education, making her the formidable player she is today.In her own words, Cokayne states that she wouldn’t be the player she is today, nor would she have the experience she has, if she hadn’t gone to New Zealand. The possibility of playing women’s rugby from the age of 13, competing against the Black Ferns, was fundamental.
New Zealand selectors invited her to a training camp, but Cokayne decided to represent England, and returned to her country.
Rugby and the armed forces are part of Cokayne’s family history. In addition to his father, his grandfather and his brother also have military backgrounds. When he is not playing for England, Cokayne is often found at a Royal Air Force base, which he joined after the 2017 World Cup.
England rugby player Amy Cokayne discusses her career outside of rugby in the RAF and how she manages to balance both careers.Cokayne explains that, after the defeat in the final, he felt the need to have something outside of rugby. At that time, rugby was not professional, so he needed to find an alternative career.
After taking a sabbatical to focus on his career in the RAF, Cokayne’s passion for rugby resurfaced and he set out to achieve the perfect moment: winning the World Cup in New Zealand.
However, the result was not as expected.
Cokayne hasn’t watched the final again and doesn’t want to, despite having scored a hat-trick. The Black Ferns defeated England 34-31 at Eden Park. More anguish, but still hungry to win.
Since the start of the 2025 tournament against the United States, it’s the only defeat the Red Roses have suffered in 61 matches. Now, Cokayne and England are determined to prevent this from happening for the third consecutive time.
