PLAYER PROFILE
Tanya Kalounivale
Prop
KEY STATS
Black Ferns Next match
USA Women
Black Ferns
BIOGRAPHY
Black Fern #237
Fiji-born and Suva Grammar School-educated Tanya Kalounivale made her Waikato debut in 2017, shortly after finishing her school years, and quickly established herself as a powerful presence in the front row.
During the 2020 Farah Palmer Cup, she formed a formidable combination with Toka Natua and Grace Houpapa-Barrett. Kalounivale scored two tries in six matches that season, including one in the semi-final against the Manawatū Cyclones, bringing her tally to three tries from 21 appearances for Waikato at that stage of her career.
Kalounivale was selected for the inaugural Chiefs Manawa squad and consistently featured alongside fellow Kate Henwood and Luka Connor in a dominant front row. Her scrummaging strength, work rate around the field, and physicality have made her a key contributor at Super Rugby Aupiki level.
She made her Black Ferns debut in the 2022 Pacific Four Series against the Wallaroos in Tauranga and later that year was part of the Rugby World Cup winning squad.
By 2025, Kalounivale further cemented her role as a reliable and experienced prop for the Black Ferns. Throughout the international season, she contributed strongly in set piece stability playing an important role in the team’s forward dominance. Her performances across the Pacific Four Series and other Test matches including the Women’s Rugby World Cup underlined her consistency and growth, as she continued to provide a solid platform up front.
