Joseph
Tapine
Athletic Wellington product Joseph Tapine became a New Zealand back-row regular after joining Canberra in 2016 - and eventually one of the game's elite forwards following a shift to the front-row.
The Harbour City Eagles junior was an 18-year-old winger for Wellington Orcas in the NZRL’s National Competition, before taking up a contract with Newcastle. He played 39 games for the Knights’ under-20s team in 2013-14, representing the Junior Kiwis both years and breaking through for seven NRL appearances off the bench during the latter season.
Tapine made another 13 top-grade appearances in 2015 and featured in Newcastle’s NSW Cup grand final win at centre. The in-demand tyro was released by the Knights to take up a lucrative deal with the Raiders late in the 2016 pre-season.
The 22-year-old became a permanent interchange fixture for the high-flying Green Machine as the club surged to a preliminary final. He was subsequently named in the Kiwis’ Four Nations tour squad, debuting off the bench in an inauspicious draw with Scotland and retaining his spot for the loss to Australia in the final.
Tapine was chosen in New Zealand’s 2017 Rugby League World Cup squad and started in the second-row in all four matches, scoring his maiden Test try in the 74-6 rout of Scotland in Christchurch.
By now a regular starter for the Raiders at second-row or lock, Tapine endured an injury-hit 2018 campaign but played in the Kiwis’ midyear clash with England in Denver and came off the bench in two of the three Tests in England at the end of the year. He scored a try in the 34-0 dead-rubber victory at Leeds.
Tapine represented the Māori All Stars against the Indigenous All Stars during the 2019 pre-season and was a non-playing member of the Kiwis’ extended squad for the mid-season Test against Tonga. Though he was allowed to play in the World Cup Nines tournament, a one-match suspension for a high tackle in the Raiders’ grand final loss to the Roosters ruled Tapine out of contention for the Test against the Kangaroos in Wollongong.
But the aggressive, hard-running forward was recalled to Michael Maguire’s New Zealand line-up at lock for both Tests against the touring Great Britain Lions. He was especially impressive in the second encounter in Christchurch, racking up 112 metres, 39 tackles, three tackle-breaks and two offloads in a 23-8 victory
In an ultra-consistent campaign at NRL level in 2020, Tapine averaged 125 metres and 31 tackles per game as the Raiders reached the preliminary final – as well as making his 100th appearance for the club.
Tapine's 2021 season was somewhat disappointing by his standards but he exploded as one of the NRL's standout players in 2022 after settling into a role as starting prop for Canberra, earning a place in the Dally M Team of the Year and winning the Mal Meninga Medal as the Raiders' Player of the Year.
The 28-year-old shone at lock during New Zealand's 26-6 mid-season win over Tonga - racking up 162 metres and 36 tackles in his 12th Test outing - ahead of the Kiwis' World Cup assault in England, where he started in four of their five matches.
Tapine passed the 150-game mark in Raiders colours during 2023 and played in all but one game as the club again reached the finals, while he collected a second straight Mal Meninga Medal before joining the Kiwis' squad for their Pacific Championships assault.
The No.13 was a vital presence throughout the triumphant campaign, notching a try assist against Samoa, running for a team-high 149 metres in the group-stage loss to Australia, and leading all forwards with 197 metres and topping the Kiwis' tackle count with 33 in the record 30-0 destruction of the Kangaroos in the final.
Though the Raiders failed to make the finals in 2024, Tapine was outstanding - playing every game, filling in as captain and receiving another Dally M Team of the Year nod, as well as passing 200 NRL appearances - and was a tower of strength in New Zealand's Pacific Championships title defence. He made 148 metres and 36 tackles at lock in the loss to Australia, before moving to prop and scored an unforgettable second-half try that levelled the scores in what was ultimately a one-point defeat to Tonga, and led the Kiwis forwards against Papua New Guinea with 173 metres - his 20th consecutive Test appearance.
In 2025, Tapine led the Raiders to their first Minor Premiership since 1990, in his first-ever season as captain. ‘Taps’ also became the first player in club history to claim four consecutive Meninga Medal honours, showing his prolonged impact in Canberra. During another strong Pacific Championships campaign, Tapine again spearheaded the Kiwis’ forward pack. He made 152 metres and 33 tackles in the opening win over Toa Samoa, added five offloads against Tonga, and ran for 179 metres in the Grand Final victory.
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Joseph
Tapine
Athletic Wellington product Joseph Tapine became a New Zealand back-row regular after joining Canberra in 2016 - and eventually one of the game's elite forwards following a shift to the front-row.
The Harbour City Eagles junior was an 18-year-old winger for Wellington Orcas in the NZRL’s National Competition, before taking up a contract with Newcastle. He played 39 games for the Knights’ under-20s team in 2013-14, representing the Junior Kiwis both years and breaking through for seven NRL appearances off the bench during the latter season.
Tapine made another 13 top-grade appearances in 2015 and featured in Newcastle’s NSW Cup grand final win at centre. The in-demand tyro was released by the Knights to take up a lucrative deal with the Raiders late in the 2016 pre-season.
The 22-year-old became a permanent interchange fixture for the high-flying Green Machine as the club surged to a preliminary final. He was subsequently named in the Kiwis’ Four Nations tour squad, debuting off the bench in an inauspicious draw with Scotland and retaining his spot for the loss to Australia in the final.
Tapine was chosen in New Zealand’s 2017 Rugby League World Cup squad and started in the second-row in all four matches, scoring his maiden Test try in the 74-6 rout of Scotland in Christchurch.
By now a regular starter for the Raiders at second-row or lock, Tapine endured an injury-hit 2018 campaign but played in the Kiwis’ midyear clash with England in Denver and came off the bench in two of the three Tests in England at the end of the year. He scored a try in the 34-0 dead-rubber victory at Leeds.
Tapine represented the Māori All Stars against the Indigenous All Stars during the 2019 pre-season and was a non-playing member of the Kiwis’ extended squad for the mid-season Test against Tonga. Though he was allowed to play in the World Cup Nines tournament, a one-match suspension for a high tackle in the Raiders’ grand final loss to the Roosters ruled Tapine out of contention for the Test against the Kangaroos in Wollongong.
But the aggressive, hard-running forward was recalled to Michael Maguire’s New Zealand line-up at lock for both Tests against the touring Great Britain Lions. He was especially impressive in the second encounter in Christchurch, racking up 112 metres, 39 tackles, three tackle-breaks and two offloads in a 23-8 victory
In an ultra-consistent campaign at NRL level in 2020, Tapine averaged 125 metres and 31 tackles per game as the Raiders reached the preliminary final – as well as making his 100th appearance for the club.
Tapine's 2021 season was somewhat disappointing by his standards but he exploded as one of the NRL's standout players in 2022 after settling into a role as starting prop for Canberra, earning a place in the Dally M Team of the Year and winning the Mal Meninga Medal as the Raiders' Player of the Year.
The 28-year-old shone at lock during New Zealand's 26-6 mid-season win over Tonga - racking up 162 metres and 36 tackles in his 12th Test outing - ahead of the Kiwis' World Cup assault in England, where he started in four of their five matches.
Tapine passed the 150-game mark in Raiders colours during 2023 and played in all but one game as the club again reached the finals, while he collected a second straight Mal Meninga Medal before joining the Kiwis' squad for their Pacific Championships assault.
The No.13 was a vital presence throughout the triumphant campaign, notching a try assist against Samoa, running for a team-high 149 metres in the group-stage loss to Australia, and leading all forwards with 197 metres and topping the Kiwis' tackle count with 33 in the record 30-0 destruction of the Kangaroos in the final.
Though the Raiders failed to make the finals in 2024, Tapine was outstanding - playing every game, filling in as captain and receiving another Dally M Team of the Year nod, as well as passing 200 NRL appearances - and was a tower of strength in New Zealand's Pacific Championships title defence. He made 148 metres and 36 tackles at lock in the loss to Australia, before moving to prop and scored an unforgettable second-half try that levelled the scores in what was ultimately a one-point defeat to Tonga, and led the Kiwis forwards against Papua New Guinea with 173 metres - his 20th consecutive Test appearance.
In 2025, Tapine led the Raiders to their first Minor Premiership since 1990, in his first-ever season as captain. ‘Taps’ also became the first player in club history to claim four consecutive Meninga Medal honours, showing his prolonged impact in Canberra. During another strong Pacific Championships campaign, Tapine again spearheaded the Kiwis’ forward pack. He made 152 metres and 33 tackles in the opening win over Toa Samoa, added five offloads against Tonga, and ran for 179 metres in the Grand Final victory.
PROFILE
Height M
189
WEIGHT KG
107
DOB
May 4, 1994
HIGHLIGHTS
Test matches
25
Test points
12
CANBERRA RAIDERS (2016-PRESENT)
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Joseph Tapine and Mele Hufanga claim NZRL Player of the Year honours for 2025
Joseph Tapine (Kiwi #800) and Mele Hufanga (Kiwi Fern #166) have been named the 2025 NZRL Players of the Year for the Kiwis and Kiwi Ferns. Ryan Charles (Wheel Kiwi #1) received the Wheel Kiwis Player of the Year award, while rising star Casey McLean (Kiwi #841) and debutant Ivana Lauitiiti (Kiwi Fern #188) were recognised as Rookies of the Year.
Joseph Tapine is awarded the Steve Watene Memorial Medal after a stellar season as a key member of the leadership team that guided the Kiwis to their 2025 Pacific Cup title, while also captaining the Canberra Raiders. Mele Hufanga played a vital role in the Broncos’ Premiership-winning season and the Kiwi Ferns’ Pacific Championships campaign, earning her the Player of the Year honour.
New Zealand Kiwis Player of the Year: Joseph Tapine (Canberra Raiders)
It was a standout season for Tapine in the NRL. Taking over as Captain at Canberra, he led the team to its first Minor Premiership since 1990. He played 23 of 27 games and claimed a fourth straight Meninga Medal as Raiders’ Player of the Year, making club history. Tapine was also voted into the Rugby League Players' Association (RLPA) Players' Dream Team by his peers. On the international stage, he impressed across all three Championship matches, averaging 140 running metres per game. He made 34 tackles against Toa Samoa, 23 against Tonga, and ran for 174 metres in the final, earning an International Rugby League Golden Boot nomination.
New Zealand Kiwi Ferns Player of the Year: Mele Hufanga (Brisbane Broncos)
Hufanga was once again a cornerstone for the Broncos in 2025, scoring eight tries, producing three try assists, and registering 15 line breaks across the season. Her campaign was highlighted by a stunning game-winning try in the Grand Final against the Roosters. Returning for her fourth international season with the Kiwi Ferns, she maintained her try-scoring form with another game-winner against Fetu Samoa off the back of a 90-metre line break. Across the final two Tests against the Jillaroos, Hufanga ran for 217 metres and added two tackle breaks, one line break, and one line break assist, reinforcing her reputation as a consistent game-breaker.
New Zealand Kiwis Rookie of the Year: Casey McLean (Penrith Panthers)
The 19-year-old Casey McLean played one game for the Kiwis in the 2024 Pacific Championships, a memorable debut where he scored four tries against Papua New Guinea, in what would be the first glimpse of his talents on the international stage. He enjoyed a breakout 2025 season with Penrith playing 23 matches, finishing with 16 tries and 11 try assists. McLean was a standout in his second campaign for the Kiwis, scoring twice and making three line breaks in Round 1 against Toa Samoa, adding a try and three line breaks against Tonga, and crossing again in the Grand Final against Toa Samoa. The Rookie of the Year has now scored in every Test he has played in, totalling eight tries from four appearances, marking him as an exciting long-term prospect for both the Panthers and the Kiwis.
New Zealand Kiwi Ferns Rookie of the Year: Ivana Lauitiiti (New Zealand Warriors)
One of Aotearoa’s most promising young prospects in recent years, Ivana Lauitiiti enjoyed an unforgettable 2025 rookie season, making both her NRLW and international debuts. Her strong performances earned her a regular bench role for the Warriors, finishing with six appearances, two tries, 36 tackle breaks, 105 average running metres, and 71 tackles. A bone-rattling hit in Round 11 earned her the NRLW Dally M Tackle of the Year, and she was named Warriors Rookie of the Year. Her stellar club form secured selection in the Kiwi Ferns squad, appearing in all three Tests as an interchange prop. She made her international debut in the Round 1 comeback win over Fetu Samoa. Across her maiden campaign as the youngest in the squad, Ivana ran for 131 metres, making 32 tackles, and delivering six offloads, a solid start to the Rookie of the Year’s international career.
New Zealand Wheel Kiwis Player of the Year: Ryan Charles
Ryan Charles was named Wheel Kiwis Player of the Year after exemplifying excellence both on and off the court. A respected leader for the Wheel Kiwis, he guided his teammates with professionalism, humility, and a strong sense of whanaungatanga. At the inaugural NRL Wheelchair National Championships, he was a standout performer, converting almost every kick and adding several tries. His performances combined accurate kicking, creative playmaking, and strong game awareness. Off the court, Ryan serves as a mentor and role model, promoting wellbeing, hauora, and positive team culture through his holistic approach to leadership. His commitment, leadership, and passion for wheelchair rugby league make him a truly deserving recipient of this award.
Shortlist: Jayson Hooker, Mitch Stone.
2025 New Zealand Rugby League high performance award winners
New Zealand Kiwis Player of the Year: Joseph Tapine (Canberra Raiders)
New Zealand Kiwi Ferns Player of the Year: Mele Hufanga (Brisbane Broncos)
New Zealand Wheel Kiwis Player of the Year: Ryan Charles
New Zealand Kiwis Rookie of the Year: Casey McLean (Penrith Panthers)
New Zealand Kiwi Ferns Rookie of the Year: Ivana Lauitiiti (New Zealand Warriors)
Trillian Trust Māori Sports Awards: rugby league award & scholarship winners
The Trillian Trust Māori Sports Awards was hosted by Te Tohu Taakaro o Aotearoa Charitable Trust at Tūrangawaewae Marae in Ngāruawāhia on Saturday 29 November. This prestigious event celebrates Māori sporting excellence and recognises the achievements of Māori athletes, coaches, referees, and administrators across various sports codes.
Now in its 35th year, we would like to congratulate the three rugby league participants who took home awards and scholarships. Kiwis enforcer Joseph Tapine won Senior Māori Sportsman of the Year, after an outstanding year captaining the Canberra Raiders to an NRL minor premiership and being instrumental in the Kiwis’ Pacific Cup victory.
Congratulations also to Waikato referee Epiha Muru-Kete, who was awarded the Skills Active Aotearoa Māori Sports Awards Scholarship, and Te Maia Sweetman, a Mid Central Vipers and Aotearoa Whaanui representative, who received the Te Kunenga Ki Pūrehuroa Massey University Scholarship. We also recognise renowned Waikato referee Paki Parkinson, who was a finalist for the Māori Sports Umpire/Referee of the Year award.
See the full list of winners here maorisportsawards.co.nz
TE TAMA-Ā-TANENUIĀRANGI | Senior Māori Sportsman of the Year
Joseph Tapine (Ngāi Tūhoe), Ahitereiria | Australia – rīki | rugby league
SKILLS ACTIVE AOTEAROA | Māori Sports Awards Scholarship
Epiha Ricky Muru-Kete (Waikato Tainui), Rāhui-Pōkeka | Huntly – rīki | rugby league
TE KUNENGA KI PŪREHUROA | Massey University Scholarship
Te Maia Sweetman (Rangitāne ki Tāmaki Nui a Rua), Te Papaioea | Palmerston North – whutupōro | rugby, rīki | rugby league
TE ARATIATIA | Māori Sports Umpire/Referee of the Year (finalist)
Paki Parkinson (Waikato Tainui) – rīki | rugby league
Dylan Brown, Joseph Tapine, and Apii Nicholls shortlisted for Golden Boot
The Kiwis' Dylan Brown and Joseph Tapine, and Kiwi Ferns' Apii Nicholls have been named as finalists for the 2025 IRL Golden Boot awards following the Pacific Championships.
Dylan Brown, who will join Newcastle next season on a 10-year contract, was a standout for the Kiwis in their successful Pacific Cup campaign, winning the tournament for the second time in three years by beating Samoa in the final with Brown earning Player of the Match.
Tapine, the Canberra Raiders captain, was consistently one of the Kiwis' best forwards and has again made the Golden Boot shortlist after being narrowly edged out by team-mate James Fisher-Harris for the award in 2023 when the Kiwis inflicted a record 30-0 defeat of Australia in the final.
Kiwi Ferns fullback Apii Nicholls was one of the best female players on the international stage in 2025, leading the Kiwi Ferns from the back in a stunning comeback win over Fetū Samoa, and two losses to the current world-champion Jillaroos.
Kiwis Joseph Manu and James Fisher-Harris were consecutive Golden Boot winners in 2022 and 2023, alongside Kiwi Ferns co-captains Raecene McGregor in 2022 and Georgia Hale in 2023.
The IRL Golden Boot is awarded to the best player in sanctioned rugby league international matches each year.
As seen on intrl.sport/article
Biography
Last updated:
November 20, 2025
Athletic Wellington product Joseph Tapine became a New Zealand back-row regular after joining Canberra in 2016 - and eventually one of the game's elite forwards following a shift to the front-row.
The Harbour City Eagles junior was an 18-year-old winger for Wellington Orcas in the NZRL’s National Competition, before taking up a contract with Newcastle. He played 39 games for the Knights’ under-20s team in 2013-14, representing the Junior Kiwis both years and breaking through for seven NRL appearances off the bench during the latter season.
Tapine made another 13 top-grade appearances in 2015 and featured in Newcastle’s NSW Cup grand final win at centre. The in-demand tyro was released by the Knights to take up a lucrative deal with the Raiders late in the 2016 pre-season.
The 22-year-old became a permanent interchange fixture for the high-flying Green Machine as the club surged to a preliminary final. He was subsequently named in the Kiwis’ Four Nations tour squad, debuting off the bench in an inauspicious draw with Scotland and retaining his spot for the loss to Australia in the final.
Tapine was chosen in New Zealand’s 2017 Rugby League World Cup squad and started in the second-row in all four matches, scoring his maiden Test try in the 74-6 rout of Scotland in Christchurch.
By now a regular starter for the Raiders at second-row or lock, Tapine endured an injury-hit 2018 campaign but played in the Kiwis’ midyear clash with England in Denver and came off the bench in two of the three Tests in England at the end of the year. He scored a try in the 34-0 dead-rubber victory at Leeds.
Tapine represented the Māori All Stars against the Indigenous All Stars during the 2019 pre-season and was a non-playing member of the Kiwis’ extended squad for the mid-season Test against Tonga. Though he was allowed to play in the World Cup Nines tournament, a one-match suspension for a high tackle in the Raiders’ grand final loss to the Roosters ruled Tapine out of contention for the Test against the Kangaroos in Wollongong.
But the aggressive, hard-running forward was recalled to Michael Maguire’s New Zealand line-up at lock for both Tests against the touring Great Britain Lions. He was especially impressive in the second encounter in Christchurch, racking up 112 metres, 39 tackles, three tackle-breaks and two offloads in a 23-8 victory
In an ultra-consistent campaign at NRL level in 2020, Tapine averaged 125 metres and 31 tackles per game as the Raiders reached the preliminary final – as well as making his 100th appearance for the club.
Tapine's 2021 season was somewhat disappointing by his standards but he exploded as one of the NRL's standout players in 2022 after settling into a role as starting prop for Canberra, earning a place in the Dally M Team of the Year and winning the Mal Meninga Medal as the Raiders' Player of the Year.
The 28-year-old shone at lock during New Zealand's 26-6 mid-season win over Tonga - racking up 162 metres and 36 tackles in his 12th Test outing - ahead of the Kiwis' World Cup assault in England, where he started in four of their five matches.
Tapine passed the 150-game mark in Raiders colours during 2023 and played in all but one game as the club again reached the finals, while he collected a second straight Mal Meninga Medal before joining the Kiwis' squad for their Pacific Championships assault.
The No.13 was a vital presence throughout the triumphant campaign, notching a try assist against Samoa, running for a team-high 149 metres in the group-stage loss to Australia, and leading all forwards with 197 metres and topping the Kiwis' tackle count with 33 in the record 30-0 destruction of the Kangaroos in the final.
Though the Raiders failed to make the finals in 2024, Tapine was outstanding - playing every game, filling in as captain and receiving another Dally M Team of the Year nod, as well as passing 200 NRL appearances - and was a tower of strength in New Zealand's Pacific Championships title defence. He made 148 metres and 36 tackles at lock in the loss to Australia, before moving to prop and scored an unforgettable second-half try that levelled the scores in what was ultimately a one-point defeat to Tonga, and led the Kiwis forwards against Papua New Guinea with 173 metres - his 20th consecutive Test appearance.
In 2025, Tapine led the Raiders to their first Minor Premiership since 1990, in his first-ever season as captain. ‘Taps’ also became the first player in club history to claim four consecutive Meninga Medal honours, showing his prolonged impact in Canberra. During another strong Pacific Championships campaign, Tapine again spearheaded the Kiwis’ forward pack. He made 152 metres and 33 tackles in the opening win over Toa Samoa, added five offloads against Tonga, and ran for 179 metres in the Grand Final victory.
fixtures & results
