Quick Facts
VirgoBiography
Taine Tuaupiki (/taʊpɪki/) (born 31 August 1999) is an New Zealand rugby league footballer who plays as a fullback for the New Zealand Warriors in the National Rugby League (NRL).
Background
Tuaupiki was born in Manly, New South Wales, Australia. He grew up in Taharoa on the southern side of Kawhia Harbour.
Tuaupiki is related to fellow New Zealand Warriors player, Te Maire Martin.
Playing career
Early career
Tuaupiki was educated at Coombabah State High School, where he played in the 2016 NRL Schoolboys Cup Queensland final against Keebra Park State High School, and played junior rugby league for the Burleigh Bears, progressing through to the Hastings Deering Colts competition in 2019. Following an impressive season for Burleigh in the 2022 Queensland Cup season, Tuaupiki won the Petero Civoniceva Medal as the competition's best and fairest while also being named the rookie of the year, earning a NRL development contract with the New Zealand Warriors. Tuaupiki also won Burleigh's player of the year award to cap off his time at the Queensland Cup club.
New Zealand Warriors: 2023–present
Tuaupiki was one of a host of players who excelled in the New Zealand Warriors’ 48–12 win over Wests Tigers in their first NRL trial at Mount Smart Stadium. Tuaupiki was upgraded to a fulltime NRL contract with the Warriors for the 2023 season. Tuaupiki made his first grade debut in his side's 26−12 victory over the North Queensland Cowboys at North Queensland Stadium in round 3 of the 2023 NRL season, impressing in the absence of the Warriors regular fullback Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad.
He played five games for the New Zealand Warriors in the 2023 NRL season as the club finished 4th on the table and qualified for the finals.
Honours
Individual
- Petero Civoniceva Medal (Queensland Cup Player of the Year): 2022
- Queensland Cup Rookie of the Year: 2022
- Burleigh Bears Player of the Year: 2022
