Ponsonby Ponies’ Lavinia Tauhalaliku made an impressive Test debut at fullback in the Kiwi Ferns’ late-2020 victory over Fetu Samoa.
A standout rugby union player – scoring a try in Counties Manukau’s 2018 Farah Palmer Cup final loss to Canterbury – Tauhalaliku was drafted into a Kiwi Ferns development camp at the start of 2020, before starring for Auckland Vulcans in the NZRL National Women’s Championship.
The 21-year-old was one of New Zealand’s most damaging ball-runners against Samoa, leaving a slew of defenders in her wake while making a string of powerful kick-returns and hit-ups in the 28-8 win.
