Leafi Talataina

{{Infobox rugby biography

| name = Leafi Talataina

| image =

| image_size =

| caption =

| fullname = Leafi Heka Talataina

| birth_date = {{birth date and age|2004|1|18|df=y}}

| birth_place = Melbourne, Australia

| height = {{convert|196|cm|ftin|0|abbr=on}}

| weight = {{convert|112|kg|lb stlb|0|abbr=on}}

| school = Fountain Gate Secondary College

| university =

| relatives =

| occupation =

| spouse =

| position = Flanker

| currentclub = {{Rut|Waratahs}}

| youthyears1 =

| youthclubs1 =

| years1 = 2024

| clubs1 = {{Rut|Rebels}}

| apps1 = 0

| points1 = 0

| years2 = 2025–

| clubs2 = {{Rut|Waratahs}}

| apps2 = 1

| points2 = 0

| repyears1 = 2023

| repteam1 = Australia U20

| repcaps1 = 5

| reppoints1 = 5

| clubupdate = 8 March 2025

| repupdate = 8 March 2025

| ru_sevensnationalyears1 =

| ru_sevensnationalteam1 =

| ru_sevensnationalcomp1 =

| ru_sevensupdate =

}}

Leafi Talataina (born 18 January 2004) is an Australian rugby union player, who plays for the {{Rut|Waratahs}}. His preferred position is flanker.{{cite web|url=https://www.ultimaterugby.com/app/public/index.php/leafi-talataina|title=Leafi Talataina|work=Ultimate Rugby|access-date=8 March 2025}}

Early career

Talataina was born in Melbourne and attended Fountain Gate Secondary College.{{cite news|url=https://vic.rugby/news/sunshine-college-launches-school-rugby-academy-2023824|title=Sunshine College launches school rugby academy|work=Rugby Victoria|date=24 August 2023|access-date=8 March 2025}} He was a member of the Melbourne Rebels academy,{{cite news|url=https://www.smh.com.au/sport/rugby-union/this-rugby-academy-gets-underprivileged-kids-back-to-school-the-collapse-of-the-melbourne-rebels-would-be-devastating-20240209-p5f3mr.html|title=This rugby academy gets underprivileged kids back to school. The collapse of the Melbourne Rebels would be 'devastating'|work=Sydney Morning Herald|date=12 February 2024|access-date=8 March 2025}} He plays his club rugby for Sydney University,{{cite web|url=https://waratahs.rugby/players/leafi-talataina/2343|title=Leafi Talataina|work=NSW Waratahs|access-date=8 March 2025}} and in 2023 and 2024 was selected to play for the Australia U20 side.{{cite news|url=https://www.rugby.com.au/news/laurie-fisher-to-coach-australian-u20s-as-2024-preliminary-squad-announced-20231112|title=Fisher joins Australia U20s as assistant as 2024 preliminary squad is announced|work=Rugby.com.au|date=13 November 2023|access-date=8 March 2024}}

Professional career

Talataina first signed professionally with the {{Rut|Rebels}} ahead of the 2023 Super Rugby Pacific season, but did not make an appearance for the side.{{cite press release | url=https://melbournerebels.rugby/news/rebels-strengthen-future-with-sixplayer-signing-2022720 | title=Rebels strengthen future with six-player signing | publisher=Melbourne Rebels | date=20 July 2022 | access-date=10 October 2022}} In September 2024, it was announced he had signed for the {{Rut|Waratahs}},{{cite news|url=https://waratahs.rugby/news/waratahs-welcome-six-new-signings-to-daceyville-202495|title=Waratahs Welcome Six New Signings to Daceyville|work=NSW Waratahs|date=8 September 2024|access-date=8 March 2025}} and in November 2024 he was confirmed in the squad for the 2025 Super Rugby Pacific season.{{cite press release | url=https://waratahs.rugby/news/the-wait-is-over-the-2025-nsw-waratahs-squad-is-officially-here-and-ready-to-support-20241112 | title=The wait is over - The 2025 NSW Waratahs Squad is officially here and ready to support | publisher=NSW Waratahs | date=11 November 2024 | access-date=12 November 2024}} He made his Super Rugby debut for the {{Rut|Waratahs}} in Round 4 of the season, coming on as a replacement against the {{Rut|Force}}.{{cite news|url=https://www.rugby.com.au/news/how-to-watch-nsw-waratahs-western-force-live-scores-blog-match-report-results-updates-australia-super-rugby-pacific-202537|title=NSW Waratahs produce convincing victory over Western Force|work=Rugby.com.au|date=8 March 2025|access-date=8 March 2025}}

References

External links

[https://www.itsrugby.co.uk/leafi-talataina-58655.html itsrugby.co.uk Profile]

Category:Living people

Category:2004 births

Category:Australian rugby union players

Category:Rugby union flankers

Category:Melbourne Rebels players

Category:New South Wales Waratahs players

Category:Sydney University Football Club players

Category:Rugby union players from Melbourne

Category:21st-century Australian sportsmen