Former Suva Grammar School student and powerful Black Ferns prop, Tanya Kalounivale, has joined the Queensland Reds in the biggest signing of the 2026 Super Rugby Women’s season.
Kalounivale is at the peak of her powers as a two-time World Cup representative for New Zealand with 29 Tests to her name.
The one-two punch at tighthead prop with Wallaroo Eva Karpani and Kalounivale can be the foundation for a Reds scrum of real authority in 2026.
The 27-year-old says being close to family and personal development outside of rugby were two big factors that made playing for the Reds so appealing.
She says that she is excited to be in Brisbane and for what is ahead with new teammates and learning a different style of rugby.
Kalounivale says that she always plays her best when close to family, and that is the main reason for her moving to Brisbane.
She revealed that she had been thinking of relocating since her mother Ana moved to Brisbane before the 2025 Women’s World Cup kick-off in August last year.
The powerful prop says that she loves the Black Ferns, and her family was given a huge opportunity to live in New Zealand when they left Fiji, and this is not a decision made lightly.
After completing her high school education at Suva Grammar, Kalounivale studied civil engineering before she concentrated on rugby full-time.
She made her Test debut against the Wallaroos in 2022 and was part of the Black Ferns’ World Cup-winning squad later that same year in NZ.
She played her most recent Test for the Black Ferns just last month against Canada in Kansas City during the Pac Four tournament.
Reds Head Coach Andrew Fraser says the Reds have talked about winning Super Rugby Women’s for a long time, so it is great to have a player in their midst like Tanya, who has experienced winning at the highest level at a World Cup.
Karpani will start and Kalounivale will come off the bench when the Reds play their first trial against the ACT Brumbies in Canberra on Sunday.
The Super Rugby Women's season starts on 6th June.
Source: rugby.com.au
