Sosoli Talawadua

Sosoli Talawadua
Date of birth (1989-01-30) 30 January 1989 (age 35)
Place of birthWhanganui
Height1.62 m (5 ft 4 in)
Weight89 kg (196 lb)
Rugby union career
Position(s) Prop
Provincial / State sides
Years Team Apps (Points)
2013–2018 Waikato 33 (20)
2019–2020 Manawatū Cyclones 12 (10)
Super Rugby
Years Team Apps (Points)
2023 Hurricanes Poua (0)
International career
Years Team Apps (Points)
2016–2017 New Zealand 8 (5)
2023 Samoa 3 (0)
Medal record
Women's rugby union
Representing  New Zealand
Women's Rugby World Cup
Gold medal – first place 2017 Ireland Team competition

Sosoli Talawadua (born 30 June 1989) is a New Zealand rugby union player. She was part of the Black Ferns champion 2017 Rugby World Cup squad in Ireland. She also plays for Hurricanes Poua in the Super Rugby Aupiki competition.

Rugby career

Talawadua debuted for the Black Ferns on 27 November 2016 against Ireland at Dublin.[1][2] She was part of the Black Ferns champion 2017 Rugby World Cup side.[3][4][5][6]

Talawadua returned to Whanganui after representing Waikato for six seasons in the Farah Palmer Cup.[6]

In 2019, She was named player of the year for the Manawatū Cyclones.[5] In 2020, She worked part-time as the women’s and secondary schools’ rugby development officer for the Whanganui Rugby Union.[5][6]

In December 2022, Talawadua was confirmed as one of three final signings for Hurricanes Poua for the 2023 Super Rugby Aupiki season.[7]

2023

Talawadua was named in the Manusina Samoa squad for the inaugural WXV 2 tournament in Cape Town, South Africa.[8][9]

References

  1. ^ "Two new caps in Black Ferns". Radio New Zealand. 26 November 2016. Archived from the original on 15 January 2018. Retrieved 18 September 2017.
  2. ^ "Black Ferns name squad". Radio New Zealand. 12 November 2016. Archived from the original on 15 January 2018. Retrieved 18 September 2017.
  3. ^ "Black Ferns World Cup squad named". Radio New Zealand. 5 July 2017. Archived from the original on 13 August 2017. Retrieved 18 September 2017.
  4. ^ "Black Ferns squad for 2017 Women's Rugby World Cup named". All Blacks. Archived from the original on 12 June 2018. Retrieved 18 September 2017.
  5. ^ a b c Stanley, Ashley (29 July 2020). "Black Fern Sosoli Talawadua takes game back to her Whanganui roots". Stuff. Retrieved 13 February 2023.
  6. ^ a b c Tutty, Logan (1 August 2020). "Black Fern home in Whanganui and giving back". The New Zealand Herald. Retrieved 13 February 2023.
  7. ^ "Hurricanes Poua lure NRLW champion Kiwi Fern home for Super Rugby Aupiki". Stuff. 7 December 2022. Retrieved 13 February 2023.
  8. ^ worldrugby.org (3 October 2023). "WXV 2: Anticipation builds for South Africa as squads named". www.world.rugby. Retrieved 8 October 2023.
  9. ^ "CYCLONES SELECTED FOR MANUSINA SQUAD". www.manawaturugby.co.nz. 4 October 2023. Retrieved 8 October 2023.