Shiray & Gillies Kaka 🇳🇿 | Episode 36

Hosts Dallen Stanford & Robin MacDowell are joined by legends Shiray & Gillies Kaka for #RugbyHive Episode 36.

Shiray Kaka is a Black Ferns 7s sensation representing New Zealand on the world stage since 2013, earning recognition for her incredible work rate and try-scoring ability. She has been a key player in the Black Ferns 7s success, winning a Gold medal at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics, Silver medal at the 2022 Rugby World Cup 7s in Cape Town and Bronze medal at the 2022 Commonwealth Games in Birmingham. Over the last decade New Zealand has won the Sevens World Series in 2013, 2014, 2015, 2017, 2019, 2020 and 2023.

Gillies Kaka played for the All Blacks 7s from 2013 to 2016, winning Sevens World Series titles in 2013 and 2014, and represented New Zealand at the 2016 Rio Olympics. He was known for his leadership, speed and vision on the field, helping New Zealand win Silver at the 2014 Commonwealth Games in Glasgow.

After retiring, Gillies made the transition into coaching, bringing his experience and knowledge to the next generation of players. Together, Gillies and Shiray have built impressive careers in rugby, while balancing family life and supporting each other's growth on and off the field.

In this episode, we dive into Gillies and Shiray’s backgrounds, their journey in rugby, and their path to represent their country at the Olympic Games. We delve in Gillies’ transition to a Cowboy, and from player to coach after turning down a ‘real’ job, exploring his coaching ambitions and his experience representing MacDowell Rugby and Canada at the 2024 Global Youth Sevens. We hear from Shiray about her Gold medal highs and lows, plus how she found coaching the next generation of Canadian talent at the 2024 Global Youth Sevens.

We also hear about life on the farm, and then a MASSIVE news drop while recording: Shiray is pregnant!! Wishing the Kaka family all the best during this exciting time!

We hope you enjoy this episode which provides an inspiring look at two of rugby's most entertaining athletes, their journey together in the world of rugby, and the balance between family, farming, coaching and comedy in Rayze The Roof, which is open for sponsorship!

The Rugby Hive Podcast is brought to you by Tsunami Sport, Gilbert Rugby Canada, RugbyCoffee, Bru’sBiltong, 

BiltongCanada, Flag X Rugby and MacDowellRugby. 

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