Toka Natua

Toka Natua

Date of birth	(1991-11-22) 22 November 1991 (age 33)
Height	1.70 m (5 ft 7 in) [1]
Weight	96 kg (15 st 2 lb)
Rugby union career
Position(s) Prop Provincial / State sides Years Team Apps (Points) 2014–2024 Waikato 49 (30) Super Rugby Years Team Apps (Points) 2023 Blues Women 5 (0) International career Years Team Apps (Points) 2015–2020 New Zealand 24 (25)
Rugby league career
Playing information
Position	Prop
Representative Years Team Pld T G FG P 2022 Cook Islands
Medal record Women's rugby union Representing   New Zealand Women's Rugby World Cup 2017 Ireland Team competition

Toka Natua (born 22 November 1991) is a New Zealand rugby footballer. She has represented New Zealand in rugby union and the Cook Islands in rugby league. She played for the Blues Women in the Super Rugby Aupiki competition.

Rugby career

2015–16

Natua made her debut for the New Zealand women's national rugby union team, the Black Ferns, in 2015 against Canada. ^[2] In 2016, She scored a try in the win over the Wallaroos in the second Laurie O'Reilly Cup match. ^{[3] [4]}

2017

Natua scored a hat-trick and was also cited for foul play, in New Zealand's victory over England in the final of the 2017 Women's Rugby World Cup. ^{[5] [6]} She then represented the Cook Islands at the 2017 Women's Rugby League World Cup in Australia. ^[7]

2019–20

In 2019, she was part of the Black Ferns team that won the Women's Rugby Super Series. ^[8] In 2020, she was named in the Black Ferns squad that took on the New Zealand Barbarians in Waitakere. ^{[9] [10]}

2023

Natua joined the Blues Women for the 2023 Super Rugby Aupiki season. ^{[11] [12]} At the end of 2023, she will be joining her partner, Pita Gus Sowakula, and their one-year-old daughter in Clermont, France. ^{[13] [14]} She will be signing with the Clermont women’s side. ^{[15] [16]}

Personal life

Natua is of Cook island descent and was born in Tokoroa. She is a graphic designer. ^[17]

Honours

• Women's Rugby World Cup: winner 2017

References

1. "Toka Natua | Rugby.com.au". www.rugby.com.au. Archived from the original on 28 August 2017. Retrieved 28 August 2017.
2. "Toka Natua". allblacks.com. Archived from the original on 12 June 2018. Retrieved 10 June 2018.
3. Julian, Adam (24 May 2024). "A history of the prestigious Laurie O'Reilly Cup". allblacks.com. Retrieved 17 July 2024.
4. "Black Ferns vs Australia". stats.allblacks.com. 26 October 2016. Retrieved 21 July 2024.
5. Meagher, Gerard (27 August 2017). "Toka Natua irrepressible as New Zealand end the dream for battling England". The Guardian . Archived from the original on 12 June 2018. Retrieved 10 June 2018.
6. "Womens Rugby World Cup 2017". www.rwcwomens.com. 18 August 2017. Archived from the original on 12 June 2018. Retrieved 10 June 2018.
7. "Black Ferns star Toka Natua representing Cook Islands at Women's Rugby League World Cup". Stuff.co.nz . Fairfax NZ. 17 November 2017. Retrieved 10 June 2018.
8. "Black Ferns skipper Les Elder returns for Super Series decider against England". Stuff.co.nz. 13 July 2019. Retrieved 17 July 2019.
9. "Six debutants named in Black Ferns side to take on New Zealand Barbarians". www.rugbypass.com. 13 November 2020. Retrieved 13 March 2023.
10. Powell, Jennie (12 November 2020). "Teams named for Black Ferns v NZ Barbarians". 4 The Love Of Sport. Retrieved 13 March 2023.
11. "Super Rugby Aupiki: Black Ferns prop Krystal Murray to make Hurricanes debut after leaving Blues". Stuff. 23 February 2023. Retrieved 13 March 2023.
12. Cama, Akuila (22 December 2022). "Tough few months for Sowakula". Fiji Broadcasting Corporation. Retrieved 13 March 2023.
13. Dermody, Jessica (21 December 2022). "One door shuts, another opens for Sowakula". 1 News. Retrieved 13 March 2023.
14. Rasekaseka, Marika (22 December 2022). "Sowakula and partner to join Clermont later next year". www.fijivillage.com. Retrieved 13 March 2023.
15. Vinicombe, Tom (14 December 2022). "'Still waiting for that World Cup': France-bound Sowakula gunning for 2023". www.rugbypass.com. Retrieved 13 March 2023.
16. "Pita Gus Sowakula confirms his future in France". Chiefs. 13 December 2022. Retrieved 13 March 2023.
17. CALDWELL, OLIVIA (26 May 2018). "Black Ferns star Toka Natua reveals how pro rugby contract has changed her life". Stuff. Retrieved 13 March 2023.

External links

• Black Ferns Profile