Hubbry Logo
Toa HalafihiToa HalafihiMain
Open search
Toa Halafihi
Community hub
Toa Halafihi
logo
8 pages, 0 posts
0 subscribers
Be the first to start a discussion here.
Be the first to start a discussion here.
Toa Halafihi
Toa Halafihi
Toa Halafihi
View on Wikipedia
from Wikipedia

Key Information

Toa Halafihi (born 27 November 1993) is a New Zealand-born Italian professional rugby union player who primarily plays number eight for Petrarca Padova in the Italian top league Serie A Elite.[1] He has also represented Italy at international level, having made his test debut against France during the 2022 Six Nations Championship. Halafihi has previously played provincial rugby for Poverty Bay and Taranaki, Super Rugby for the Hurricanes, and in France for Lyon.[2][3][4][5] He played with Benetton in the United Rugby Championship until 2025.[6]

Early life

[edit]

Born and raised in the city of Gisborne in the northeastern part of New Zealand, Halafihi was schooled at Gisborne Boys' High School and played first XV rugby for the school.[2] After graduating high school, he played a season of Heartland Championship rugby with Poverty Bay in 2012 before later moving to Taranaki to play club rugby with Spotswood United.[7]

Club career

[edit]

Halafihi first played provincial rugby for Taranaki during their ITM Cup Premiership title winning season of 2014, starting once and coming on as a replacement twice. He was much more of a regular in 2015, scoring 3 times in 9 outings to help the Bulls reach the Premiership semi-finals where they surrendered their crown to eventual winners, Canterbury, going down 46-20.

2016 saw him play in all 11 of Taranaki's games and score 5 tries, although owing to stiff competition from the likes of Lachlan Boshier, Mitchell Brown, Mitchell Crosswell and Iopu Iopu-Aso, he was restricted to just 6 starts. His most memorable moment of the year came when he scored the winning try in a 35-32 win over Auckland in the final league stage match which ensured Taranaki would claim a home semi-final. Unfortunately, they were defeated 41-29 by Tasman and were forced to wait another 12 months before once more trying to reclaim the Premiership title.[4][8]

Good performances at domestic level for Taranaki over the course of the preceding 2 seasons brought him to the attention of Wellington-based Super Rugby franchise, the Hurricanes who named him in their squad ahead of their title defense in 2017.[3]

International career

[edit]

On 8 December 2021, he was selected by Alessandro Troncon to be part of an Emerging Italy 27-man squad for the 2021 end-of-year rugby union internationals.[9]

In February 2022, he was selected for Italy for the first time by coach Kieran Crowley for the 2022 Six Nations Championship, despite never having been capped for the senior squad.[10] He made his debut against France. In February 2023, Benetton head coach Marco Bortolami, anncounced that Halafihi could also become an option for Italy in the 2023 Six Nations Championship.[11]

On 22 August 2023, he was named in the Italy's 33-man squad for the 2023 Rugby World Cup.[12]

Honours

[edit]

Taranaki

References

[edit]
[edit]
Revisions and contributorsEdit on WikipediaRead on Wikipedia

Toa Halafihi

View on Grokipedia
from Grokipedia
Toa Halafihi (born 27 November 1993) is a New Zealand-born professional player of Tongan heritage who represents at the international level, primarily playing as a number eight in the back row for Petrarca Padova in the Campionato Italiano di Rugby Top10. Born and raised in , Halafihi attended Gisborne Boys' High School, where he played first XV rugby, before progressing through local club and provincial levels. He began his senior career with in the 2012 Heartland Championship and later moved to , joining Spotswood United club while earning provincial contracts with the Taranaki Bulls from 2014 to 2017, during which he contributed to the 2014 ITM Cup Premiership title and scored multiple tries in subsequent seasons. Halafihi then advanced to with the Hurricanes in 2016–2017 and briefly joined the Chiefs' wider training squad, but at age 24, he signed with French side Lyon OU in 2017 for family reasons, a move that tested his resilience amid performance struggles and mental challenges that nearly led him to quit the sport. A pivotal trial opportunity from coach revived his career, leading to a contract with Benetton in starting in 2018, where he became a mainstay with over 89 starts and 70 career tries across competitions before transferring to Petrarca Padova in 2025. Qualifying for through the residency rule (requiring three years of continuous residency), Halafihi debuted internationally in 2022 and has earned 12 caps, including appearances in the and the , scoring 9 tries while known for his powerful ball-carrying and tackling. Now 31 years old, standing at 191 cm and weighing 110 kg, Halafihi balances his professional commitments with family life, crediting supportive coaches and his Tongan roots for his perseverance in European rugby.

Early life and background

Birth and upbringing

Toa Halafihi was born on 27 November 1993 in Gisborne, a coastal city on New Zealand's . He grew up in this rural region, which is characterized by its strong cultural ties to and communities. Gisborne boasts one of New Zealand's highest proportions of residents, with 54.8% of the population identifying as such, alongside a Pacific peoples community comprising about 5.6% of residents, fostering a vibrant multicultural backdrop, as of the 2023 census. Halafihi's family heritage traces back to , reflecting the influences prevalent in Gisborne and broader society. This Tongan ancestry provided him with potential eligibility to represent internationally, complemented by his New Zealand birthright and eventual qualification for via long-term residency requirements under World Rugby rules. These roots instilled a sense of that would influence his personal development amid Gisborne's community-oriented lifestyle. This foundation transitioned into his formal education at Gisborne Boys' High School.

Education and youth rugby

Halafihi attended Gisborne Boys' High School in his hometown, where he developed his rugby skills during his teenage years. As a student, he participated in local school competitions, gaining initial competitive experience in the first XV team, which represented the school in regional fixtures. His time at the school laid the foundation for his physical and tactical growth in the sport. Upon graduating from high school, Halafihi transitioned to senior-level rugby by joining RFC for the 2012 , his first organized exposure beyond schoolboy level. He made four appearances for the team that season, contributing as a loose forward without scoring points, in matches that highlighted his emerging potential against more experienced opponents. This stint with provided crucial experience in provincial rugby's demands. Following his season with , Halafihi relocated to to pursue further club rugby opportunities, seeking to advance his development in a more competitive environment. This move marked a pivotal step from amateur youth play toward semi-professional pathways.

Club career

New Zealand phase

Halafihi's professional career in began with a contract with the Taranaki Bulls in the NPC (formerly ITM Cup), where he played from 2014 to 2018. During this period, he made 42 appearances and scored 60 points, primarily through 12 tries. His debut season coincided with Taranaki's historic 2014 ITM Cup Premiership victory, the first for a province outside the traditional "big five" since the competition's finals format was introduced; Halafihi featured in three matches that year, starting once and contributing as a replacement in the others. Primarily deployed as a flanker or number 8 in the back row, Halafihi honed his physicality and ball-carrying abilities within New Zealand's competitive domestic environment. Notable examples include his powerful carry off the back of a scrum to seal a 35-32 win over in the final regular season match of 2016, securing a home semifinal and showcasing his work rate and explosive running style. By 2017, his consistency earned him recognition as Taranaki's player of the year, reflecting growth in leadership and impact at the provincial level. Post-2014, Halafihi faced challenges with inconsistent selection amid stiff competition for back-row spots in Taranaki's squad. His playing time varied, from limited minutes in his debut year to starting nine of ten games in 2017, allowing personal development through sustained exposure in provincial rugby. This phase culminated in a brief stint as a development player with the Hurricanes in 2017, where he appeared in two matches without scoring. Limited opportunities overall in New Zealand's elite pathways underscored the competitive nature of the domestic scene.

European phase

Halafihi's European career began with a move to Olympique Universitaire (LOU) in the French for the 2017–2018 season, where he joined as a medical joker replacement for injured back-rower Carl Fearns. During this period, he made 12 appearances, primarily as a substitute, and scored one try for a total of 5 points. However, the transition proved challenging, as Halafihi struggled with adaptation to the demanding French playing style and the intense of the professional environment, leading to mental and physical strain that left him feeling "mentally crushed" upon returning to . In December 2018, Halafihi transferred to in Italy's Pro14 (later rebranded as the ), initially on a trial offered by coach following his difficulties in . Over the next seven seasons through 2025, he became a mainstay in the back row, accumulating 88 appearances and 60 points from 12 tries, with 70 starts showcasing his reliability as a number eight. The move facilitated a smoother adaptation, aided by Benetton's New Zealand-influenced rugby philosophy and English-speaking team dynamic, which Halafihi described as feeling like "home" from the outset. Halafihi's playing style evolved significantly at Benetton, shifting toward greater emphasis on powerful ball-carrying and contributions in the loose, complemented by improved in set-piece scenarios as a veteran forward. His hard-carrying approach and loose forward skills became hallmarks, enabling him to establish himself as a key starter and benefit from the Italian residency qualification process, which required three years of continuous residence for eligibility. In 2025, following the conclusion of his Benetton contract, Halafihi signed with Petrarca Padova in Italy's Elite, bringing his experience to the club as a 31-year-old third-line forward tasked with providing and guidance to the squad. As of November 2025, he has made one appearance for Petrarca, playing 35 minutes in his debut without scoring, and is expected to serve as a veteran influence in the pack during the ongoing season.

International career

Eligibility and selection

Born in New Zealand with Tongan heritage, Halafihi was eligible to represent through birthright and via ancestry, but pursued international rugby with following his relocation for professional opportunities. Halafihi qualified for under World Rugby's three-year residency rule after joining Benetton in 2018, becoming eligible by November 2021 upon completing the required period in the country. His decision to commit to stemmed from loyalty to Benetton, where he had established himself, and the international pathway offered there, particularly after former All Blacks coach , who had prior connections with Halafihi from his time in , assumed leadership of the national team and actively scouted him. In late 2021, shortly after gaining eligibility, Halafihi earned his first international exposure with Emerging Italy, making one appearance in the end-of-year internationals without scoring points, serving as a developmental squad to bridge club and senior levels. His breakthrough to the senior Italy squad came in early 2022, when Crowley included him in the Six Nations lineup based on strong performances at Benetton, marking his full international debut against .

National team performances

Halafihi made his test debut for Italy on 5 February 2022 against in the , entering as a replacement number eight in a 37–10 defeat. He featured in all five fixtures of that tournament, starting four times and accumulating 318 minutes on the field as Italy secured their first win in the competition since 2013 by defeating 22–21. Across these matches, Halafihi established himself as a powerful ball carrier and reliable tackler in the back row, averaging approximately 12 tackles per game while contributing to the team's forward momentum in both attack and defense. In 2022, Halafihi added four more caps, including two mid-year tests against where he did not score, and two appearances off the bench in the Autumn Nations Series against and . His versatility as a back-rower, capable of playing both number eight and openside flanker, allowed him to provide impactful substitute contributions, such as winning turnovers and making dominant tackles in high-pressure scenarios. By late 2023, he had earned 12 caps in total, scoring 5 points from one try. Halafihi was included in Italy's 33-man squad for the , where he made a brief appearance as a replacement in the pool stage match against , playing 16 minutes in a 96–17 loss and helping to steady the forward pack amid intense physical exchanges. His involvement underscored Italy's enhanced back-row depth under coach , with Halafihi exemplifying the physicality that supported the team's competitive showings, including a historic win over and a narrow defeat to France. In that tournament, he focused on breakdown work, registering multiple tackles and carries that aided territorial gains. His sole international try came earlier in 2023 against in a warm-up match. Following the , Halafihi's international opportunities were limited due to a focus on club commitments with Benetton, resulting in no caps in the 2024 or the 2025 Six Nations. However, he returned for the 2025 Autumn Nations Series, earning his 13th cap off the bench against on 8 2025. As of 2025, he has earned 13 caps in total, scoring 5 points from one try. Despite selective appearances, his earlier performances had solidified his role in Italy's evolving forward unit, blending power and work rate to support the national team's progressive style.

Personal life and legacy

Family and heritage

Toa Halafihi was born in Gisborne, New Zealand, to parents of Tongan heritage. Raised in Gisborne, he maintains strong ties to his New Zealand roots. Halafihi is married, and his wife has been a pillar of support throughout his life abroad, particularly during relocations that demanded significant adjustments for the family. The couple has three children, including twins, whom Halafihi often prioritizes in his decisions, highlighting his role as a devoted father who balances professional commitments with family time. Their children were born during his time in New Zealand, integrating into a household that cherishes routine activities like shared meals and community gatherings, reflecting Halafihi's commitment to nurturing close-knit relationships. As a proud Tongan, Halafihi navigates his heritage alongside his Italian eligibility acquired through residency. Living in since late 2018, he has found cultural resonance in the country's multicultural rugby circles, where connections with other expatriates help maintain his Tongan traditions amid European daily life. This duality enriches his off-field pursuits, which revolve around family excursions in both Gisborne during visits home and local explorations in , underscoring a lifestyle rooted in heritage while embracing new environments. His Tongan background also contributes to his eligibility for multiple national teams.

Career challenges and motivations

Halafihi's professional rugby career faced significant hurdles during his early stint in , where he struggled with performance and challenges that pushed him to the brink of quitting the sport entirely. A turning point came through a trial offer from Benetton in , facilitated by coach . This opportunity reignited his enthusiasm, with Halafihi recalling, "From the first day I got into , I knew I was home," marking a pivotal shift that restored his confidence and commitment to professional rugby. Central to overcoming these obstacles were Halafihi's personal motivations, including unwavering support from his family and particularly his wife, who played a key role in preventing him from abandoning the altogether; as he stated, "Without my wife and my family keeping me up, I wouldn’t be here today." Driven by a desire to repay those who had given him second chances, Halafihi chose to represent internationally over his eligible nation of —stemming from his Tongan heritage—viewing it as gratitude to the coaches and systems that revived his . By 2025, at age 31, Halafihi had achieved career stability in with three children and a prominent role in Italian rugby, reflecting on his journey as a testament to resilience that now inspires other Pasifika players navigating similar challenges abroad.

References

  1. https://www.rugbydatabase.co.nz/player/index.php?playerId=412
  2. https://pmn.co.nz/read/sports/i-was-ready-to-quit-how-toa-halafihi-s-rugby-career-was-saved
  3. https://all.rugby/player/toa-halafihi
  4. https://petrarcarugby.it/2025/08/09/benvenuto-toa-halafihi/
  5. https://unitedsports.co.nz/project/toa-halafihi/
  6. https://www.sixnationsrugby.com/en/m6n/teams/italy/toa-halafihi
  7. https://www.stats.gov.nz/information-releases/2023-census-population-counts-by-ethnic-group-age-and-maori-descent-and-dwelling-counts/
  8. https://www.rugbypass.com/news/he-came-from-the-side-and-crushed-my-ribs-it-was-a-big-welcome-italy-toa-halafihi/
  9. https://www.unitedsports.co.nz/higher-honour/toa-halafihi/
  10. https://unitedsports.co.nz/higher-honour/toa-halafihi/
  11. https://www.rugbyhistory.co.nz/player/s-toa-halafihi
  12. https://www.odt.co.nz/sport/rugby/rugby-poverty-bay-down-west-coast
  13. https://rugbyheartland.co.nz/wp/2014/10/25/taranaki-win-2014-itm-cup-premiership/
  14. https://www.itsrugby.co.uk/players/toa-halafihi-33162.html
  15. https://www.hurricanes.co.nz/squad/player/toa-halafihi
  16. https://www.stuff.co.nz/taranaki-daily-news/98009773/toa-halafihi-named-player-of-the-year
  17. https://www.ultimaterugby.com/tao-halafihi
  18. https://petrarcarugby.it/2025/08/
  19. https://www.france24.com/en/live-news/20220204-new-zealand-born-halafihi-to-make-italy-debut-in-france-six-nations-opener
  20. https://www.reuters.com/sports/debutants-menoncello-halafihi-start-italy-against-france-2022-02-04/
  21. https://www.sixnationsrugby.com/en/m6n/news/menoncello-and-halafihi-set-for-italy-debuts-against-france
  22. https://www.rugbydatabase.co.uk/recurring-competitions/player.php?playerId=412&competitionGroupId=27
  23. https://www.world.rugby/news/830574/rugby-world-cup-2023-pool-a-squads?lang=en
  24. https://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/rugby-world-cup-2023/300948334/rugby-world-cup-the-team-with-the-most-players-born-overseas-revealed
Add your contribution
Related Hubs
User Avatar
No comments yet.