Lavinia Tauhalaliku

Nuku’alofa-born LaviniaTauhalaliku was signed in September last year for the 2025 and 2026 seasons with a club option for 2027.

Able to play fullback, wing or centre, she has combined rugby league and rugby union.

In union she has played for Manurewa, Counties Manukau and Tonga while in rugby league the Southern Cross Campus product has come through the Mangere East Hawks and then City – the combined Ponsonby Ponies-Point Chevalier side – in the Auckland women’s premiership.

Scoring 15 tries in 13 matches she was the winner of the Auckland Rugby League’s 2023 Cathy Friend women’s player of the year award.

A Kiwi Fern in 2020, she represented Mate Ma’a Tonga in 2022 and 2023 before playing in the New South Wales premiership this season.

Scoring five tries in Manly Warringah’s 28-4 win over South Sydney in August, she was subsequently signed by the North Queensland Cowboys. After making her NRLW debut against Brisbane she averaged 126 metres in four games.

Head coach Ron Griffiths on signing Tauhalaliku.

“Lavinia made the commitment to move to Australia to play in the Harvey Norman NSW premiership Manly this year,

“This ultimately led to her being signed to finish the 2024 NRLW season with the Cowboys.

“In round six she would go on to make her debut, having an immediate impact and then topping the run metres (193 metres) in her next game. She’s a powerful outside back who has represented both the Kiwi and Tongan teams.

“When we met with Lavinia it was apparent the opportunity to play in New Zealand surrounded by whānau and to inspire the next generation of NRLW players was something she would cherish.”

On signing for the Warriors, Tauhalaliku said: “What a journey! I've grown so much as a player on and off the field. With everything I've been through I've come to realise that the Warriors is where my heart lies.

“I’d just like to thank Ron Griffiths and the One New Zealand Warriors for the opportunity to learn and develop my game in the NRLW for the coming years.

“I’m excited about returning to play in front of my family and joining my teammates and hopefully, together, we can achieve great things!”