Kiripati family proud of Ivana’s upward trajectory

An overnight success that has been 22 years in the making.

After Ivana Kiripati emerged as a bolter from the pack to be selected in the Irish squad for the Women’s Rugby World Cup, which starts this Friday, the opening sentence feels an apt description for a player who only made her senior international debut earlier this month.

After spending four years playing at the American International College in Massachusetts, Ivana has been able to develop her game away from the limelight. She lined out at centre and out-half during her four years in America, making the fact that the 22-year-old is a back-row option for Ireland all the more intriguing.

Ivana’s mother Mele told the Roscommon Herald that hearing her daughter was included in the Scott Bemand’s 32-player squad was an emotional moment.

“We are very proud of her. We were laughing because we knew a week beforehand, yet it was still extremely emotional (when the official announcement was made on Monday week last).

“We were surprised how quickly everything happened because Ivana was only just back from college in May. She has been playing since she was five years old when she started in Athlone. She has always wanted this. We are delighted and grateful,” her proud mother noted.

After the Kiripati family relocated to Dysart, Ivana joined Creggs RFC. Mele has praised the local community for making their family feel welcome and for helping Ivana, her sister Merisa and brother Kolo Jnr. all excel at adult level rugby.

“She loves it there (in Creggs). The community has been so welcoming, not just to Ivana but to our entire family. We have fit in really well. It was difficult leaving a club (Buccaneers) that we were so involved in for more than a decade, but the kids have really enjoyed the move.

“She was able to play her first game with her younger sister. When Merisa turned 18, she was able to play for the Creggs women’s team. They played their first game together a year ago and Ivana said it was one of her favourite games. Creggs have been amazing,” Mele acknowledged.

Ivana was born in New Zealand to Samoan parents before the family moved to Ireland 19 years ago. Mele admits that it would be very special for her daughter to feature in Ireland’s final group game against New Zealand.

“If she does get on the pitch, it will be huge for her. Growing up, she was a huge fan of a lot of the Irish and New Zealand girls. It will be a challenge, but it would be special for her.

“She was at the Irish games when the World Cup was in Ireland in 2017. She has photos with a lot of the Irish internationals and with some of the New Zealand team as well, so it is a special game,” her proud mother stated.

Ivana has represented Ireland at U-20 level and in the Celtic Challenge. Even though Mele admits this World Cup experience will be unique, she hopes that Ivana can savour the opportunity.

“We really want her to be in the moment and enjoy it. She has been in camp the last few months training hard. She just needs to really back herself. She is still quite nervous and, being new, she still has a lot to learn.

“Just don’t forget where you are because when you are in the moment you can think about it too much. This is a dream for any rugby player. We’ve told her that the only thing we want from her is to enjoy it,” she concluded.