Karalaini Naisewa

Last updated
Karalaini Naisewa
Date of birth (1994-07-23) 23 July 1994 (age 31)
Height167 cm (5 ft 6 in)
Weight89 kg (196 lb; 14 st 0 lb)
Notable relative(s) Luke Tagi (brother)
Keleni Marawa (sister)
Rugby union career
Position(s) Loose Forward
Super Rugby
YearsTeamApps(Points)
2022– Fijiana Drua 25 (30)
International career
YearsTeamApps(Points)
2018– Fiji 28 (50)

Karalaini Naisewa (born 23 July 1994) is a Fijian rugby union player. She competed for Fiji at the delayed 2021 Rugby World Cup.

Contents

Personal life

Naisewa's older sister, Keleni Marawa, and younger brother, Luke Tagi, have both represented Fiji at an international level. [1] [2]

Super Rugby Women's

Naisewa scored a try when the Fijiana Drua made their debut in the 2022 Super W season. [3] It was against the Melbourne Rebels in the opening round of the competition. [3]

She scored the winning try during the 2023 Super W season final against the Queensland Reds which helped her side claim back-to-back Super W titles. [4] [5]

She captain's the Fijian Drua Women's team in the Super Rugby Women's competition. [6] [7]

International career

Naisewa was selected in the Fijiana side for the delayed 2021 Rugby World Cup in New Zealand. [8] She scored the winning try in Fiji's first-ever World Cup victory which was against South Africa. [9]

In July 2024, she returned from an ankle injury which she sustained during the Oceania Championship to lead the Fijiana's against the Wallaroos. [10] [11] In September, she led the side when they got their first WXV win, they defeated Hong Kong in the opening round of the WXV 3 tournament in Dubai. [12]

On 9 August 2025, she was named in the Fijiana squad for the Women's Rugby World Cup in England. [13] [14]

References

  1. Prasad, Vashneel (2021-03-04). "Sisters want to follow footsteps of brother, Luke Tagi". Fiji Rugby Union. Retrieved 2025-08-23.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  2. "Sisters in Arms: Sibling rugby stars set to shine at 2025 Women's Rugby World Cup". www.sixnationsrugby.com. 2025-08-20. Retrieved 2025-08-23.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  3. 1 2 "Fijiana Drua open Super W competition in style". RNZ. 2022-03-07. Retrieved 2025-08-23.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  4. "Fijiana Drua claim back-to-back Super W titles after defeating Reds". Islands Business. 2023-05-08. Retrieved 2025-08-23.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  5. "Fijiana Drua become Super W champions again as Reds suffer more grand final heartache". ABC News. 2023-05-06. Retrieved 2025-08-23.{{cite news}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  6. Stark, Mataiasi (2025-04-04). "Naisewa ready to lead Drua women". Fiji Broadcasting Corporation. Retrieved 2025-08-23.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  7. Matairakula, Talei (2024-03-14). "Naisewa to lead Drua W". The Fiji Times. Retrieved 2025-08-23.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  8. Prasad, Vashneel (21 September 2022). "Seruvakula names 32-member squad for Rugby World Cup". Official Website of Fiji Rugby Union. Archived from the original on 23 September 2022. Retrieved 23 September 2022.
  9. "Fiji strike late to snatch first World Cup victory". supersport.com. 2022-10-16. Retrieved 2025-08-24.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  10. Tinaivugona, Venina (2024-07-03). "Naisewa Returns to Lead Vodafone Fijiana XV Against Wallaroos in Saturday Showdown". Fiji Rugby Union. Retrieved 2025-08-23.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  11. Naivalurua, Navitalai (2024-07-04). "Tawake and Naisewa return from injury to face the Wallaroos". www.fijivillage.com. Retrieved 2025-08-23.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  12. Banuve, Lusi (2024-09-29). "Fijiana XV bag first win at Dubai tournament". Mai Tv. Retrieved 2025-08-23.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  13. "Fiji announce squad for Women's RWC 2025". Rugby World Cup. 9 August 2025. Retrieved 9 August 2025.
  14. "Fijiana 15s Squad Named for Women's Rugby World Cup in England". Fiji Rugby Union. 9 August 2025. Retrieved 9 August 2025.