Twenty-eight years after her premier women's rugby debut Clive loosie Deidre Hakopa has announced her retirement.

"I couldn't have asked for a better farewell. Winning a tight game on a field [McLean Park] which means so much to me ... that's what finals are made of," Hakopa (pictured above centre with Amy Williams, left, Kara Huata, right, and Sharlena Maui in front) said as she reflected on Clive Rugby and Sports 29-24 victory against Napier Technical on Friday night.

"My first season in 1993 was a winning one and I'm happy to finish with an unbeaten season and both trophies, one for the first round and the Championship Cup from Friday night," Hakopa said.

A Clean Cut Hawke's Bay worker, Hakopa, 51, played every minute of the final. Many Clive fans were quick to point out she could easily play another two seasons at least.

"Yes, I could still keep playing. But I'm calling it quits when the team is in good hands. Te Maari [player-coach MacGregor] and Sharlena have plenty of rangatahi (youth) mixed in with some experienced players," Hakopa explained.

A mother of six and grandmother of six, Hakopa, hinted in 2019 she may keep playing until she can take the field with one of her grandchildren or nieces.

"My oldest moko [Brooklyn Dempsey] turns 16 soon but she isn't too keen on rugby.  My niece [Reiley Bartlett] might have a game in the next season or two and that would be the only reason I would take the field again," Hakopa said.

A Hawke's Bay Tui women's rep team player from 1997 until 2009, Hakopa, still holds four of the team's records. They are the most tries, 21, most tries in a season, nine, most points in a match 25, and most tries in a match with five.

The last two came during the Bay's 100-5 thrashing of Southland in the 2003 division two final on McLean Park. That is why the venue means so much to her.

In 2019 Hakopa won the supreme award, Club Person of the Year, at the Clive club's prizegiving.

"It was such a surprise and very humbling. I owe a lot to the Clive club and our awesome supporters. Cheryl [former Tui and Clive hooker Heremia] was a huge influence on my career. People like the late Porky Nesbit and Sue and Jim McIlroy have done a lot for women's rugby at our club," Hakopa explained.

During the past 28 seasons with the Clive club, Hakopa missed just one season and that was due to knee reconstruction surgery. She ranked a Championship Cup final win against MAC on the old Nelson Park in Hastings and seven consecutive Championship Cup titles as her highlights with the riversiders.

Hakopa has also played rugby league for Tamatea since 1995 and pointed out she will have another season with the team this year.

"There was no women's comp last year because only two teams entered. But we won the title in 2019 so it would be good to have one more season and help the girls try and retain the title," she added.