As the Far North's most recently capped international athlete, Krystal Murray made the most of her summer holidays by returning home to spend time with family and friends and also keep in shape by playing a bit of touch.
Having made her international test debut as part of a side which beat the Aussies on their own turf, 12-8 to curtain raise a Four Nations match in November, the 21-year-old had a run with the Mahi Maru Marae side which dominated the touch competition at Awanui as part of the 2nd Ngai Takoto Festival in late December.
A private at Linton Army Base in Palmerston North, Murray struggled to find the right words to describe the feeling of donning the black jersey and running on to the field to help the Kiwi Ferns win the Trans-Tasman Cup at Wollongong. However, her main focus now was on staying as fit as possible to boost her chances of making Rusty Matua's New Zealand Nines team which is set to play a three game series against Australia at the upcoming Auckland Nines tournament.
Murray was named by coach Matua in an extended squad of 50 which trialled for places last month. She went on to make the extended training squad of 21 which will be cut back to 16 for the two day tournament at Eden Park on January 31/ February 1.
Meanwhile, with little else planned for the Kiwi Ferns in terms of international matches this year, Murray, whose catchcry is "Te Paatu hard!", plans to return to rugby union, and hopes to make the Manawatu side and play in the 2015 national women's provincial championship.
