200 up for Te Ohaere-Fox
16 June 2023
By Adam Julian
If you google Christchurch women’s rugby, one of the first choices that appears is Christchurch Women’s Rugby FC.
Stephanie Te Ohaere-Fox is a reason why Christchurch FC is worthy of such a favourable position in an internet search engine.
On Saturday 10 June, former Black Ferns front rower Stephanie Te Ohaere-Fox played her 200th game for Christchurch FC in a 19-5 victory over Lincoln University.
It’s likely Te Ohaere-Fox is the first woman to reach the double century landmark in Canterbury. She has won nine senior championships since her debut in 2004 and was recently appointed the club’s Rugby Development Officer (RDO).
“Saturday was a special day. I kept getting spoiled, which was overwhelming,” Te Ohaere-Fox said.
“We caught a bus out to Lincoln which meant we could be together the whole day. The jersey had the date and game printed on it which was cool. The game itself wasn’t the most attractive spectacle. On a muddy field we got the win, but Lincoln was without their Black Ferns and really gave it to us.
“The Lincoln Black Ferns and heaps of old friends showed up for the after match. I got presented with a pounamu and an axe (the club’s emblem) engraved with my achievement on it. Viv de Beus presented it to me. He’s one of only three players to play 200 games for the club.”
Ironically, Stephanie started her rugby career with rival club Linwood in 2002. She played alongside her sister, New Zealand touch representative Leana Te Ohaere-Fox. In 2004, Stephanie moved to Christchurch FC, which was something of a culture shock.
“Linwood was very social. When I moved to Christchurch, they had a lot more structure and were more competitive and clinical in the way they played,” said Te Ohaere-Fox.
“There are several Canterbury legends I’m blessed to have played with. In the early days, girls like Stephanie Broomhall, Kelly Jarden and Karen Almond, who captained England when they won the World Cup in 1994, were immense.”
Casey Robertson enjoyed an immense career with Canterbury and the Black Ferns. The three-time World Cup winner played across the front row and developed a ruthless reputation which came unstuck while playing for Sydenham in a championship decider against Christchurch.
“When you played Casey Robertson, you accepted you were going to get fended in the face or rucked on the ground when that was allowed. She was an unbelievable player, so tough,” Te Ohaere-Fox recalls.
“Denton Oval was wet, foggy and the field was heavy. You had to work for every metre. Casey got yellow carded, and they were down to 14 which was huge for us. She was in a rage when she came back on and then she got a red. We couldn’t believe it. We won the game and the great Casey Robertson got red carded. That was crazy. That’s properly the most memorable championship.
“The club have always done a great job of looking after their women’s team. We’re lucky we’ve had a few internationals over the years because of that Google thing. Internationals bring a different flavour and are often very good players. This year, we have Molly Scuffil-McCabe at halfback for us. She’s played for Ireland.”
Even when Te Ohaere-Fox hasn’t been playing, she’s been involved. In 2020 she was coaching the side while pregnant, unable to bend over to demonstrate scrum movements. Her baby was due in early August three weeks before the final. It arrived “a couple of days” afterwards.
Such commitment has seen Te Ohaere-Fox appointed Rugby Development Officer, where her ideas about what Christchurch as a club looks like are very clear.
“I want to make the culture more inclusive, and to do that we need to better connect all the teams. If the parents of our juniors have a good experience in the clubhouse, they might be persuaded to come and play or coach. We want good coaches who create a learning, welcoming environment for players of all ages and ability.”
Te Ohaere-Fox is a player of considerable ability. In addition to her 200 games for Christchurch, she played 113 times for Canterbury and won five Farah Palmer Cup Premierships.
Earlier this year she was part of Matatū, who won Super Rugby Aupiki. She played 24 Tests for the Black Ferns between 2008 and 2014 winning a World Cup in 2010. She had a spell with Wasps in England.
She recently caught up with injured All Blacks and Crusaders prop George Bower.
“They’ve got a real injury crisis in the front row. I suggested to George I’m available and he reckons it’s a good idea,” Te Ohaere-Fox laughed.
