Freda Tafuna

Last updated

Freda Tafuna
Date of birth (2003-08-31) August 31, 2003 (age 22)
Place of birth Orange County, California, U.S. [1]
University Lindenwood University
Rugby union career
Position(s) Flanker
International career
YearsTeamApps(Points)
2023– United States

Freda Tafuna (born August 31, 2003) is an American rugby union player who plays as a flanker. She represents the United States internationally and plays collegiately for Lindenwood University.

Contents

Early life and education

Tafuna was born in Orange County, California, and is of Tongan descent. [1] She grew up as one of seven siblings and initially played soccer and basketball before switching to rugby at age 16 during a school tournament. [1] She later joined her high school rugby team and was recruited to play for Lindenwood University, where she also pursued her studies. [2]

Rugby career

University

At Lindenwood, Tafuna became a standout collegiate player. In 2024, she helped the team reach the national championship final, narrowly losing to Life University. She won the MA Sorensen Award, given annually to the best collegiate women's rugby player in the United States. [3]

In 2025, Tafuna helped Lindenwood win the national championship and won the MA Sorensen Award again, becoming the first athlete to claim the honour twice in its 10-year history. [4] [5]

International

Tafuna made her international debut for the United States in the 2023 Pacific Four Series against Australia. She scored her first international try the following week against New Zealand. [6]

In May 2024, she became the first American woman to score tries in consecutive test matches against New Zealand. [1]

She was not selected for the 2024 WXV tournament but returned to the national team for the 2025 Pacific Four Series. [7] On July 17, she was selected for the 2025 Women's Rugby World Cup that will be held in England. [8] [9] She scored a hat-trick in the United States' pool stage draw against Australia at the York Community Stadium. [10]

Honours

University

Individual

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 "Freda Tafuna: "When I crossed the adrenalin was flowing through my veins"". RugbyPass. May 19, 2024. Retrieved September 2, 2025.
  2. "Freda Tafuna". Lindenwood Lions. Retrieved September 2, 2025.
  3. 1 2 "Collegiate Honors Awarded to USA Eagle Freda Tafuna and Wyatt Parry". USA Rugby. April 30, 2024. Retrieved September 2, 2025.
  4. 1 2 3 "Back-to-Back: Freda Tafuna Named Top Collegiate Player Again". Scrumhalf Connection. May 6, 2025. Retrieved September 2, 2025.
  5. 1 2 "Freda Tafuna is the 2024 Sorensen Winner". The Rugby Breakdown. April 30, 2024. Retrieved September 2, 2025.
  6. "Freda Tafuna". USA Rugby. Retrieved September 2, 2025.
  7. "Eagle Women Lineup Changes and Going North of the Border". Goff Rugby Report. July 20, 2025. Retrieved September 2, 2025.
  8. "USA name squad for Women's Rugby World Cup 2025". Rugby World Cup. July 18, 2025. Retrieved September 2, 2025.
  9. Burke, Jenni (July 17, 2025). "USA Women's Eagles Squad ready to make their mark as the Women's Rugby World Cup 2025 is revealed". USA Rugby. Retrieved September 2, 2025.
  10. Watkins, Alistair (August 30, 2025). "USA and Australia play out thrilling World Cup draw". BBC Sport. Retrieved September 2, 2025.