Biography
Born on 8 February 2004 in Timaru, New Zealand, Jorja Miller has become one of the brightest young stars in women’s rugby. Standing 1.67m tall and weighing 71kg, she’s a dynamic open-side flanker known for her explosive power, fearless tackling, and relentless work rate.
From the dance floor to the rugby field, Miller’s early years were shaped by athletic passion and family legacy. Her parents, Tracey and Craig Miller, both have deep rugby roots — her father played more than 200 games for the Timaru Harlequins, and her mother represented South Canterbury. Her two brothers, Corin and Deon, also shared the competitive spirit that runs in the family.
Before rugby took over, Jorja was a national age-group champion in Highland dancing, specializing in the Sailor’s Hornpipe. She also dabbled in basketball — but once she picked up a rugby ball at age four, there was no turning back.
List of Teams Played For
Timaru Harlequins Rugby Football Club
- Timaru Girls’ High School
- Christchurch Girls’ High School
- Canterbury (Farah Palmer Cup)
- New Zealand Dutch Barbarians Sevens (Invitational)
- Black Ferns Sevens (New Zealand Women’s Sevens Team)
- Black Ferns (New Zealand Fifteens)
Rugby World Cups Played
- 2022 Rugby World Cup Sevens, Cape Town – Silver Medal
- 2025 Women’s Rugby World Cup, England – Bronze Medal
Key Career Moments
Jorja’s rugby story began in Timaru, where she played alongside boys for the Harlequins under-12 and under-13 teams, even captaining them. By her teens, she was making waves — scoring hat-tricks for Timaru Girls’ High and earning MVP honours at the South Island Secondary Schoolgirls Rugby Tournament.
In 2018, she toured Europe with the New Zealand Dutch Barbarians Sevens, helping the invitational side win the Amsterdam International Quadrangular — an early sign of her global potential.
Her breakout came at the 2019 Condor Sevens, where she led Christchurch Girls’ High to the national title, scoring four tries in the final and earning MVP recognition.
Injuries briefly slowed her progress in 2021 after a knee cartilage issue, but she returned stronger than ever. By 2022, she was officially a Black Ferns Sevens player, debuting at the Rugby World Cup Sevens and winning silver in Cape Town.
The 2023–24 season was a golden stretch: she starred across the Sevens Series, was named in four Dream Teams, claimed World Rugby’s Rookie of the Year, and then helped New Zealand capture Olympic Gold in Paris 2024, scoring three tries — becoming the youngest New Zealand woman ever to win Olympic gold.
Her momentum continued into 2025, debuting for the Black Ferns fifteens in a 79–14 victory over the USA in the Pacific Four Series, before winning a bronze medal at the Rugby World Cup in England.
By 21, Jorja had already collected Olympic gold, World Cup medals, and the Kelvin R. Tremain Memorial Player of the Year Award — becoming the second-youngest ever recipient after Jonah Lomu.
Personal Life
Jorja’s journey is steeped in family heritage and resilience. The Millers are a proud rugby clan, and her nickname “Scooter” reflects her boundless energy and pace on the field. Her highland dancing background honed her balance and agility — skills that now translate beautifully into her rugby footwork.
A product of both Timaru and Christchurch, Jorja embodies small-town grit and big-stage confidence. Her story is one of perseverance, family pride, and pure sporting joy.