Aki
Tuivailala

Aki Tuivailala played first XV for Hamilton Boys’ High School, leading them to win the New Zealand Secondary School Championships in 2022. Three months later, Aki played his 50th game for the side, beating South Africa 22-10 in the final of the World Schools Rugby Festival.

While Aki was playing in the NZ U20s side, he caught the eye of Waikato selectors and made his debut for the provincial side in 2023 where he scored the opening try against Auckland. 

Aki made his Crusaders debut in 2025 against Moana Pasifika.

“It’s an unreal feeling to play for the Crusaders, it’s a dream come true,” he says.