Chiefs sign Black Ferns prop Amy Rule

Exeter Chiefs have signed Black Ferns tighthead prop Amy Rule to join the club following the culmination of the Rugby World Cup.

Rule has earned 29 caps for New Zealand following a successful provincial and Super Rugby Aupiki career with Canterbury and Matatū.

A late starter to rugby, the 24-year-old only began playing in her last two years at Central Southland College. Her move to Christchurch for university in 2019 led to a place in the front-row in a tournament-winning Farah Palmer Cup team before getting noticed by the Black Ferns Development XV for their campaign in Fiji.

Rule made her Black Ferns test debut in November 2021 against England in Northampton. In 2022, she was part of the Black Ferns’ Rugby World Cup 2021 winning squad.

Interim head coach Steve Salvin said: “Amy is the first Black Fern to be signed by a PWR club. She is a Rugby World Cup winner and a world-class tighthead. We are delighted she has chosen Exeter Chiefs and our league as her next challenge.”

Rule said: “Rugby has given me so many opportunities and has made me the person I am today. Getting the chance to join Exeter is a part of that journey to grow my rugby but also make new connections and see what the hype is about this England comp that I keep hearing about!

“The plan is to make Black Ferns’ Rugby World Cup squad then carry on to join Exeter later in the year. All I can say at this point is all my focus is on the World Cup but once that’s done, I’m really excited to rip into the season with Exeter Chiefs and hopefully play lots of rugby and take my game to another level.”

Exeter Chiefs Women’s fans should be able to see Rule in action when the Black Ferns come to Sandy Park for the Rugby World Cup in August. They will play Japan on Sunday, August 31 (KO 14:00) followed by France v Brazil at 16:45. Tickets are available here.

Photo credit: Bob Frid/Action Press