The 2025 rise of Faliki Pohiva has been one of the most meteoric in Wallaroos history.
After making her Waratahs debut back in 2021 and featuring for the Australian Barbarians in 2022, Pohiva stepped away from the game following the birth of her daughter, Liliana.
Watch the 2025 Women's Rugby World Cup live and on-demand via Stan Sport.
Her return to club rugby in 2024 yielded instant results with Pohiva's line-busting runs for Manly earning her selection in Australia A's touring squad to Samoa before going on to star for NSW in their 2025 Super Rugby Women's title season and making her Test debut against Fijiana in May.
“I'm honestly speechless,” Pohiva told reporters on Tuesday night.
“Just to be here, my first year, my first World Cup as well, so I'm just grateful and honoured to be here.
“I was honestly surprised to make it because [it was] my first Super W season back, that was just a surprise to make it in the Wallaroos and then build on that.”
Pohiva credits her rugby return to an uncle who coaches at Manly - her springboard back into the Waratahs - and her family support network for looking after her daughter, while her teammates have also lent their support on and off the paddock.
“I'm a mum, so I have my family backing me, they take care of baby when I do have to go training and game day as well,” Pohiva explained.
“We sorted a routine out so I can come out, especially at camp and now the World Cup, it's been a good routine that I can focus on footy because my family's here.
“It's been hard, I'm not going to lie, especially mentally.
“We have all these coaches and my teammates as well, to lean on to them and just ask for help. I always think I can do it on my own, which was the hard way, so I'm really grateful for my teammates for opening up to me and also the staff as well.
“They back me and I can do what I do because of them.”
Discussing cultural heritage has also become an open part of the team, with Pohiva coming from a proud Tongan family.
With the Wallaroos set to meet Samoa in their opening World Cup fixture, Pohiva is hoping to feature against a few familiar faces from Australia A and Penina Pasifika matches past.
“It means a lot, like, culture-wise,” Pohiva reflected.
“I do have some mates that are in the Samoa team, so it's great that they pursued that heritage, and honestly, I wish I could do the same … but I still have that sense, I'm born and raised in Australia, so I do take that with pride.
“They're a strong team, really physical. We know that we need to match that, and then also do more, stick to our game plan. We're just going to play a very fast game, and hopefully we get on top.”
With many of the Wallaroos players back for a second (and in some cases, third) World Cup, Pohiva is optimistic she can follow in their footsteps and help contribute to the growth of women’s rugby at large.
“It's great to see that many players around, like internationally, that women can play, especially coming out of motherhood.
“I have Cee (Cecilia) Smith to look up to, but it's really great to know that there's others out there.
“Because of the last World Cup, the game's grown so much. I feel like this will be the biggest one out of the previous World Cups. I really wanted to get my name out [there], have a platform where I'll set the standard for Australia as well.”
