Former Suva Grammar School student Tanya Kalounivale is ready to put on the Queensland Reds jersey as they prepare to take on the McDonald's Fiji Drua Women's side in the Super Rugby Women semi-finals this Saturday.
Kalounivale was born in Fiji and later moved to New Zealand after securing a contract to play for Waikato.
The tighthead prop made her debut for Waikato in 2017, building her into one of the premier props in women's rugby.
Kalounivale made her Test debut for New Zealand's Black Ferns in 2022 and quickly established herself as a dominant scrummager and ball carrier.
She was a member of the Black Ferns squad that won the 2022 Rugby World Cup and went on to represent New Zealand at a second Rugby World Cup, earning 29 Test caps during her international career.
This year, Kalounivale signed with the Queensland Reds for the Super Rugby Women's competition.
The move brought her closer to family in Brisbane while providing a new challenge in Australian rugby.
Her experience, physicality and leadership have added significant strength to the Reds' forward pack, where she forms one of the competition's strongest front-row combinations.
Known for her powerful scrummaging, aggressive defence and relentless work rate, Kalounivale continues to be a major influence on and off the field.
Her journey from Fiji to international rugby and now to the Queensland Reds reflects her dedication, resilience and commitment to excellence in the sport.
The Reds will face the Fiji Drua at 1pm at Churchill Park, Lautoka.
