Faliki Pohiva

Faliki Pohiva is a rising forward from Sydney’s west who has floated in and out of rugby since taking up the sport as a 19-year-old.

Of Tongan descent, Pohiva previously featured in Penrith’s rugby league system as a junior before switching to union where she started with the Blacktown Scorpions.

She made her Super Rugby Women’s debut in 2021 with the NSW Waratahs and had a taste of the international game when she played for the Australian Barbarians in 2022.

Pohiva gave birth to her first child which ruled her out of the 2023 season. She returned to the sport last year for the Manly Mermaids and travelled to Samoa in 2024 as part of the Australia A team.

Her form earned her a recall to the Waratahs squad and in 2025 she has become a powerhouse off the bench.

She was named in the Wallaroos Managed Group ahead of the international season before debuting for the Wallaroos against Fijiana in May.

Pohiva was later selected for the 2025 Rugby World Cup, playing in all four matches.

Her explosiveness in the front row is her greatest strength for the side.