Wallaroos Player of the Year Tuinakauvadra headlines next group of re-signing stars

Fri, Nov 14, 2025, 4:00 AM
Nathan Williamson
by Nathan Williamson
Tabua Tuinakavadura takes home Wallaroos Player of the Year.

Reigning Wallaroos Player of the Year Tabua Tuinakauvadra is the latest to re-commit to the program heading into 2026.

The back-rower is joined by teammates Bridie O’Gorman, Samantha Wood and Tiarah Minns in committing to gold for another season.

Watch every second of the 2025 Autumn Nations Series live and on demand via Stan Sport.

Tuinakauvadra is coming off a breakout season that saw the Brumby become the youngest to ever take out the honour at last month's Rugby Australia Awards.

The 22-year-old featured in all 11 games in 2025, including every game at the Rugby World Cup.

“Tabua is a key figure within our setup, and we are thrilled to confirm her re-signing,” RA GM of Women's Rugby Jilly Collins said.

“Having our 2025 Wallaroos Player of the Year commit is fantastic for continuity as we continue to build this squad.”

As for O'Gorman, she re-signs with the program for a fourth year as she pushes towards the 50 cap mark, currently at 37.

The versatile front-rower debuted against Fiji in 2022, having gone to two World Cups.

Meanwhile, Wood is coming off a strong season for the Wallaroos that saw her become the starting scrumhalf for the World Cup.

The Perth product will be eager to add to her 11 caps, with the 21-year-old one of the brightest scrumhalf talents in the world.

Lock Minns rounds out the batch of signings, recently nominated for Super Rugby Women's Player of the Year.

“Bridie is a consistent performer in the all-important tight five, particularly in the set piece,” Collins said.

“She has been a mainstay in the Wallaroos program since making her debut in 2022 and is a tireless worker.

“Sammy successfully overcame injury early in the year and committed fully to earning her place in the World Cup squad,” Collins said.

“She played a key role for the team, starting at scrumhalf in all the World Cup matches and her future potential is incredibly promising.”

“Tiarah had an outstanding Super Rugby Women’s campaign, which was rightly recognised with a Player of the Year nomination,” Collins said.

“She was deservedly rewarded with two Wallaroos appearances at the start of the year and we see her as a player with strong, exciting potential who is committed to continued growth.”

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