Ayesha Leti-I’iga

BIOGRAPHY

Black Fern #201

Ayesha Leti-I'iga turned tragedy into triumph in becoming one of the most exciting talents in New Zealand rugby.

In 2009 her mother, Mary Asolupe Leti-I'iga died at just 35 when she was struck by a vehicle, leaving then 11-year-old Ayesha to be raised largely by her grandparents Faaui and Salafa.

A decade later Ayesha is a professionally contracted Black Fern and one of the most prolific try scorers in the world.

"I have a routine before my game, I always strap up my arm and I always write my mum's name on my arm - it's the first thing I do in the changing room.

“Every time I score a try, on my way back to the restart, I kiss my wrist because it feels like Mum is running beside me.” Ayesha made her Black Ferns debut in 2018 at the historic NFL stadium Soldier Field in Chicago. Coming off the bench against the USA she was denied a try from a forward pass before crossing legitimately with the last play of the game in a resounding 67-6 success.

In 2019 she returned to the US and in the opening match of the Super Series employed her power to wriggle over for the clincher in a tough 35-20 victory against Canada.

Australia would be the next victims of her try scoring prowess. In the first Laurie O’Reilly trophy test in Perth, Leti-I'iga applied the exclamation mark on an emphatic 47-10 win with a runaway from halfway.

She was a standout on the otherwise miserable Black Ferns 2021 tour of the UK and France. She featured in three of the four tests with Radio New Zealand’s Jamie Wall commenting.

“Maiakawanakaulani Roos, Ayesha Leti-Iiga, and Liana Mikaele-Tu'u were probably the only ones who saw decent game time and left with their reputations enhanced.”

In a non test match warm up she scored four tries in an 83-0 thrashing of England Under’s 20s and helped the Black Ferns beat Wales 53-7 in a one hour hit-out. Wales captain Siwan Lillicrap dubbed their performance their best in 12 months.

It was her aunt, Wellington Pride prop and former Porirua College girls' rugby coach Fuamai Taumoli, who introduced Leti-I'iga to the game. Despite reluctance from Ayesha's grandparents, the results were instantly spectacular.

Leti-I'iga scored a try with her first touch of the ball and repeated the feat on her debut for the Pride aged 16 in 2015.

Blessed with searing speed and deceptive strength, Leti-I'iga has since terrorised opponents with her try scoring feats.

At the end of the 2021 season she had scored 159 tries in 62 games for Ories and 51 tries in 38 games for Wellington. Her 50th try for Wellington was scored in a 41-34 win over Bay of Plenty where she dashed 75-meters, beating multiple defenders on the way to the line.

"It's a dream job. Growing up I didn't know how much I wanted it until I wasn't selected for the first times. I really want this."

It was her aunt, Wellington Pride prop and former Porirua College girls' rugby coach Fuamai Taumoli, who introduced Leti-I'iga to the game. Despite reluctance from Ayesha grandparents, the results were instantly spectacular.

Leti-I'iga scored a try with her first touch of the ball and repeated the feat on her debut for the Pride aged 16.

She holds the Pride records for most tries in a career, most tries in a season (12 in 2019), and most tries in a single game (5 v Manawata, 2019).

Her club scoring feats are even more ridiculous. Leti-I'iga has scored 30 hat-tricks and once collected a haul of eight tries in a single match against Avalon in 2020. In the 2018 season she scored 41 tries in 13 games. She was the Wellington women's club player of the year in 2017 and 2018.

Ories have won 94 of their last 105 games, including the Tia Passi Memorial trophy in 2014, 2017 and 2021 and the first round Rebecca Liua'ana Trophy five times.

“I don’t have a favourite try because they are all team tries. My grandfather taught me you get nowhere without hard work. I used to cry when he woke me up in the morning for 5am runs. Looking back now, I guess it was worth it.”

Grace Brooker is a Canterbury and Black Ferns midfield back familiar with the danger Leti-I'iga presents.

“She’s a pocket rocket, oh god if your fullback and she breaks the line you can’t focus on her. Get down, hang on and hope,” Brooker said.

Ross Bond was Wellington coach when Leti-I'iga scored a record five tries against Manawatu.

“We were down 20 points at halftime and bloody awful. I looked at the girls in the huddle and pleaded, ‘it’s simple, give it to Ayesha.’ We won by 20 points,” he said.

Profile by Adam Julian