Tyla King, New Zealand's most capped women's sevens player, has announced she will be retiring from international sevens after the Paris Olympics.
King has worn the Black Ferns Sevens jersey since 2012 and has appeared at more than 60 tournaments, the most of any New Zealand women's player.
Across her sevens career, King has won two Rugby World Cup Sevens titles, Olympic gold and silver medals, and Commonwealth Games gold and bronze medals.
She also sits as the highest scorer in SVNS Series matches, having scored 1448 points across 269 games.
In 2023, she was named World Rugby Sevens Player of the Year in 2023 and had twice been the New Zealand Sevens Player of the Year in 2015 and 2019.
"I was a young 17-year-old kid, still in high school, when I first made the team. Now I'm 30 years old and about to play at my third Olympic Games," King said in a statement this morning.
"This team and the sport of rugby has allowed me to travel the world to countries I could only dream of amazing teammates that I call sisters, opportunities I never thought possible, and so much more."
She will wear the black jersey one last time at the Paris Olympics later this month.
New Zealand Rugby chief executive Mark Robinson called King an "amazing ambassador" for New Zealand rugby around the globe.
"Her professionalism on and off the field and impressive point-scoring prowess are second to none. We wish her and the entire team the best for what will be a special Olympics later this month."
Black Ferns Sevens coach Cory Sweeney said King was a "role model and inspiration" for the team and for young girls across New Zealand.
"We will miss her, the world will miss her playing sevens, but we thank her for the legacy she will leave and will celebrate her amazing career together one last time at the Paris Olympics."
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