Wainuiomata Lions junior Alexis Tauaneai’s rapid rise included two full NRWL seasons with St George Illawarra Dragons and a maiden Kiwi Ferns call-up for the 2024 Pacific Championships – all while still a teenager.

A rugby union convert, Alexis and older sister Brooke moved to Sydney in early-2023 to play rugby league. Alexis’ immediately made her mark by earning player of the tournament honours for both the Harvey Norman Tarsha Gale Cup with Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs and Harvey Norman Women’s National Championships for NSW City, then winning selection for NSW Under-19s.

The 18-year-old middle forward made seven rookie-year NRLW appearances for the Dragons in 2023. She started every match for the club in 2024, scoring three tries, and averaging 169 metres and 33 tackles per game.

Pledging her allegiance to New Zealand, Tauaneai’s stellar NRLW form was rewarded with a place in the Kiwi Ferns’ 2024 squad. She made an outstanding debut off the bench against Australia in Christchurch - making 95 metres and 28 tackles - before starting at prop and running for 129 metres against Papua New Guinea in Port Moresby. Tauaneai was an interchange workhorse again in the final loss to the Jillaroos, racking up 125 metres and 26 tackles.