Lavinia Tauhalaliku has been named on the wing for Manly's historic Harvey Norman NSW Women's Premiership match on Saturday, July 6.
We caught up with Lavinia to learn more about her.
Player Profile
Name: Lavinia Tauhalaliku
DOB: 27/08/1999
Birthplace: Nuku'alofa, Tonga
Position: Wing, Centre
Nickname: Vini
What's your favorite rugby league memory growing up?
Playing my first ever league game for Mangere Hawks
Who are your favourite rugby league players in NRL or NRLW?
I don't have one. My favourite player is Nonu (rugby)
What does it mean to you to be part of the first Manly Harvey Norman’s Women’s team?
It’s a big thing for me. It's very special and will be one of my favourite and greatest achievements. It will push me to do better and be the best player I can be. I’m willing to give all I can to be a great player and hopefully a fine role model for the younger players coming up.
Funniest team-mate?
Mia Holo
What are your goals this season?
Make history for Manly
Tell us about your family and any special achievements?
I have nine siblings all living at home with Dad (single Dad, my Mum remarried). I'm the third oldest and the only family member playing rugby league. The rest play volleyball. Two of my little siblings are trying out for rugby, and my little cousin is playing league for Tonga U16s
Who is your hero?
My Dad
What's your favorite movie and why?
Miracle in Cell 7. The love and bond between daughter and father is unbreakable. No matter how bad the father situation was, never gave up to make his daughter happy. It's the same with my father. No matter how sick and tired he is, he still gets up go to work and try his best to put food on the table and a roof over my head. At the end, the daughter never gave up on her father, and I will do the same. I will not give up until I make my father proud and be able to look after and pay him back for all he has done for me and my siblings
What do you enjoy doing in your free time?
Music, dancing, dress up, running, eating
Are you a morning person or a night owl?
Morning person
Coach Keith Hanley says:
"A Tongan international who played against NZ this year, Lavinia is an incredible athlete who is very fast. She moves poetically and is very strong and powerful and can make big metres.”
