Alexis
Tauaneai
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.
In 2025, Tauaneai made the move to the Bulldogs' inaugural NRLW side, where she played eight games at second row and prop. She was one of the team's best throughout the season, finishing the year with three tries, an average of 170 run metres per game, 21 tackle breaks, and 11 offloads.
Recalled for her second Kiwi Ferns and Pacific Championships campaign, Tauaneai provided great impact off the bench in all three Tests, playing her best match against the Jillaroos at Eden Park where she took 10 runs for 86 metres, made 26 tackles, and two offloads.
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Alexis
Tauaneai
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.
In 2025, Tauaneai made the move to the Bulldogs' inaugural NRLW side, where she played eight games at second row and prop. She was one of the team's best throughout the season, finishing the year with three tries, an average of 170 run metres per game, 21 tackle breaks, and 11 offloads.
Recalled for her second Kiwi Ferns and Pacific Championships campaign, Tauaneai provided great impact off the bench in all three Tests, playing her best match against the Jillaroos at Eden Park where she took 10 runs for 86 metres, made 26 tackles, and two offloads.
PROFILE
Height M
88
WEIGHT KG
DOB
Jan 1, 2005
HIGHLIGHTS
Test matches
3
Test points
0
CANTERBURY-BANKSTOWN BULLDOGS (2025)
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‘Amazing for Christchurch’: Kiwis and Kiwi Ferns Embrace World Cup Homecoming
Kiwis and Kiwi Ferns players have welcomed the opportunity to play a double-header at Christchurch’s new indoor stadium during next year’s IRL Rugby League World Cup 2026.
The Kiwis will begin their World Cup campaign in a blockbuster tournament opener against Australia at Allianz Stadium on October 15, while the Kiwi Ferns meet Fiji Bulikula at Newcastle’s McDonald Jones Stadium on October 18.
Both New Zealand teams will then travel home to play their Round 2 matches at One New Zealand Stadium in Christchurch, which is due to open in April.
The Kiwis will host the Cook Islands, while the Kiwi Ferns take on France, in the 30,000 roofed stadium – a new experience for many of the players.
“That will be amazing to play a game in Christchurch, let alone in a World Cup,” star fullback Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad said. “There will be a lot of excitement and a real buzz in the air in Christchurch.
“Everyone down there loves their rugby league so for us to play a World Cup game in Christchurch will be amazing. It is going to packed out with black-and-white fans, and everyone is going to get behind us.”
Recent matches in Christchurch involving the Kiwis or Warriors, including the 2024 Test double-header against Australia, have attracted capacity crowds at the 17,000 seat Apollo Projects Stadium.
Kiwis second-rower Isaiah Papali’i said that playing a pool match in Christchurch would be a boost for New Zealand’s World Cup campaign.
“Playing a game at home, in our country, is what every Kiwi looks forward to and I love playing down there,” Papali’i said.
“It is going to be in the new stadium, so I am looking forward to that. I have never played in an indoor stadium so it will be something different but just being at home is a big advantage, so I am looking forward to that game.”
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Both New Zealand teams will also feature in a Round 3 double-header at Cbus Stadium on the Gold Coast, with the Kiwis to meet Fiji Bati and the Kiwi Ferns playing the PNG Orchids.
Kiwi Ferns forward Alexis Tauaneai said she was excited about the chance to play against France in Christchurch, as well as the Bulikula and Orchids, ahead of the semi-finals and final.
"To play in the World Cup is on my bucket list," Tauaneai said. "I am looking forward to seeing all of the other countries, as well, to see how they go on the world stage.
"I reckon it will be very exciting and a different type of footy, especially with the way they play compared to how we play.
Prop Angelina Teakaraanga-Katoa said the World Cup was an opportunity to showcase the development of women's rugby league and the talent and skill within the Kiwis Ferns squad.
"I think the game has already gone leaps and bounds and for us Kiwi Ferns we just want to put on a good product and show what we can do as a footy team," Teakaraanga-Katoa said.
"I know the girls have been building over the last couple of World Cup campaigns to win one so if we could do that it would be awesome."
See the Kiwis and Kiwi Ferns draws for the 2026 Rugby League World Cup here.
Biography
Last updated:
December 15, 2025
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.
In 2025, Tauaneai made the move to the Bulldogs' inaugural NRLW side, where she played eight games at second row and prop. She was one of the team's best throughout the season, finishing the year with three tries, an average of 170 run metres per game, 21 tackle breaks, and 11 offloads.
Recalled for her second Kiwi Ferns and Pacific Championships campaign, Tauaneai provided great impact off the bench in all three Tests, playing her best match against the Jillaroos at Eden Park where she took 10 runs for 86 metres, made 26 tackles, and two offloads.
fixtures & results
