Blues pair to young Kiwis: Nail good health habits now

2026-03-02 - 16:07

Sylvia Brunt and Jaymie Kolose are cornerstones of the last two nib Blues teams to win Super Rugby Aupiki. Brunt, a powerhouse midfield back, has played 18 games and scored six tries for the club. She has also been capped 29 times by the Black Ferns and appeared twice in the Rugby World Cup, winning the tournament in 2022. Whippet winger Kolose has played in 20 of the Blues’ 23 all-time games and scored a dozen tries. She recently broke into the Black Ferns Sevens, winning SVNS cup titles in Singapore and Perth. Fit, affable, confident and diligent, Brunt and Kolose embody a healthy lifestyle, which nearly two-thirds of Kiwis say is the most important lesson to pass on to young people. That is one of the new findings in a survey from their team sponsor, life insurer nib New Zealand, which studied views on legacies. Only one in five Kiwis prioritise wealth over health, with 61 percent saying a healthy lifestyle offers the best legacy, followed by a good education on 58 percent. Yet the priorities change as respondents get younger. Those aged between 18 and 24, who include Brunt and Kolose, are more likely to say it is “very unimportant” for young people to pursue a healthy lifestyle. This suggests that Gen Z may prioritise other interests at this stage or face barriers that make healthy living more difficult. Brunt and Kolose had some advice for their peers. “How you live now determines how you want to live when you’re older,” Brunt said. “Because I was the eldest of six, my dad always told me to lead by example, not only for my siblings or cousins but for anyone in our community. It’s so important to nail those habits like nutrition, sleep, recovery, and strong relationships with people to give you more control of your physical and mental health. Off-field habits make your on-field performance. “Coming from an Island family, I love the oily foods and carbs. I still have a bit of that on special occasions or in moderation, but now when I look at my plate, it’s colourful. I wouldn’t have made the World Cup without my greens.” Of Samoan and Maori heritage, Kolose grew up in South Auckland. From a family of five, both her parents are school teachers, with her father, Tone, principal of Manurewa South School. Kolose thrived in athletics, touch and netball, making the Northern Comets, the feeder team to the ANZ Premiership franchise, the Northern Stars. She switched to rugby in 2022 after being invited by a friend to fill in for Ardmore Marist. The first time she played Brunt’s Ponsonby, she “scored a couple of tries but lost.” Kolose has learned that sharing and disciplined habits lead to better outcomes. “Sport, like life, can be challenging. There are times that are difficult physically and mentally. If you have good habits, look after yourself and surround yourself with the right people, those moments are easier to handle. “Even something as simple as going for a walk can be important physically and mentally. You might not realise it at the time, but you will later.” For example, few realised the Blues were building championship credentials in the tough 2023 Aupiki season, in which they finished last. Brunt reveals strong off-field connections were fostered. “Culture has always been important at the Blues. We look after each other and spend a lot of time building friendships off the field. Though we didn’t get the results we wanted, we learned where we had to improve in terms of skill and fitness. Because of our connections, we had the trust in each other to do that.” In the 2024 Aupiki final against Chiefs Manawa at a sodden Eden Park, the Blues trailed 18-5 with only 15 minutes remaining. An inspired cameo by halfback Kahlia Awa sparked a resurgence. A 79th-minute try by Black Ferns No.8 Liana Mikaele-Tu’u ensured the Blues joined their men in winning the championship. In 2025, Kolose enjoyed her best Aupiki season, ranking in the top 10 for tries, metres gained and clean breaks. She was “buddied” with Black Ferns all-time leading try scorer Portia Woodman-Wickliffe. “The most interesting thing Portia taught me is that she sometimes gets nervous about being tackled or tackling someone. I couldn’t believe that, to be honest,” Kolose said. “Nerves are natural in all kinds of situations. Be confident in yourself. Part of that is surrounding yourself with people who are honest, caring and empower you.” The Blues beat Matatū 26-19 in the 2025 Aupiki final, rallying from 12-0 and 19-14 behind. Braxton Sorensen-McGee snatched an unforgettable 50-metre intercept, and the 18-year-old became the leading try scorer in the Rugby World Cup in her debut Black Ferns season. Woodman-Wickliffe grabbed a defensive interception with the last play of the game to stop a courageous Matatū. “If you know who you are off the field, you know what you value and what keeps you going. It’s important to know your ‘why’.” Winning championships and staying healthy is the ‘why’ for Brunt and Kolose. The nib Blues’ pursuit of a third consecutive Super Rugby Aupiki title starts June 13 with their first game of the season against the Hurricanes Poua. *The survey was conducted from December 5-7 2025, with a sample of 1,000 New Zealanders aged 18-plus from across the country.