Tafua trio creating an NRL and NRLW dynasty

In less than a year, John and Jahnea Tafua have watched their daughter and son debut in the world’s best rugby league club competitions – and a third offspring is on track to join them in the seasons ahead.

Linwood Keas hooker Makaia Tafua earned his maiden NRL call-up for the Warriors against Cronulla three weeks ago, following in the footsteps of younger sister Jaydika, who has been a mainstay for the Sharks since the start of the 2025 NRLW season.

Evander Tafua has recently re-signed with Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs and is set to start 2027 with the club’s SG Ball (under-19s) team.

“I don’t think we ever thought that far ahead as they were getting older – it’s unreal that we’ve got two in the NRL and NRLW, and then Evander coming through could be a third,” former Canterbury Bulls rep John Tafua told Canterbury Rugby League.

“We knew they had the goods, they just needed a pathway.”

John and Jahnea moved to Auckland in October, allowing them to follow and support Makaia’s progress with the Warriors, while also providing easier access to Sydney to watch Jaydika and Evander play.

Makaia made an eye-catching NRL entry against the Sharks – with plenty of family on hand at Go Media Stadium to experience the milestone – pulling off several stinging tackles in his 16-minute stint at dummy-half.

“It was pretty crazy because we weren’t too sure if he was getting on as there was another potential debutant (Kayliss Fatialofa) there as well,” John revealed.

“But as soon as we saw him get that boarding pass … it was pretty emotional seeing him actually cross that white line to debut.

“All his hard work, all those sacrifices have paid off and he got to live his dream. We were pretty emotional and the crowd was crazy when they announced it over the [PA].

“Me and my wife just sat there and were like, ‘Oh my gosh, he’s actually running on!’”

The Warriors social media team caught stirring post-match scenes when Makaia was able to celebrate the moment with his family.

“A few tears were shared in that hug and all of that. The whole build-up and just the whole week as well – really emotional and surreal.

“We had family travel up and they just were buzzing out, the love that he got from everyone. It was mean.”

For Makaia, it’s the culmination of four seasons of excelling in the Warriors’ system. After winning a CRL premiership with the Keas as an 18-year-old in 2022, he made his SG Ball and Jersey Flegg debuts for the Warriors in 2023 and has made 43 NSW Cup appearances since the start of 2024.

Signing a contract extension until the end of 2028 last year provided the impetus for Makaia to give up arduous nightshift work ahead of this season – and now he’s reaping the rewards of his commitment to his footballing dreams.

“He’s just been improving on his craft each year,” his dad said.

“With ‘Maka’ training fulltime, you can see the progress he’s made because the last couple of years he’s had to work fulltime as well as doing the training, doing double shifts.

“That was his life before he got to train fulltime, so he’s really taken it with open arms this year.”

Makaia enjoyed another major highlight a week later in front of even more family, friends and former clubmates, coming off the bench in the Warriors’ historic NRL clash with North Queensland at Christchurch’s One New Zealand Stadium.

With fellow livewire hooker Sam Healey returning from injury last weekend, he was the Warriors’ reserve for their match against the Dolphins in Brisbane – before flying to Canberra the following day and laying on all three of the NSW Cup team’s tries in a loss to the Raiders.

Makaia’s NRL breakthrough comes less than a year after Papanui Tigers product Jaydika broke into Cronulla’s NRLW line-up as a 19-year-old.

The industrious second-rower got her break while staying in Brisbane, attending strong rugby league nursery Marsden High School and playing for Souths Logan in the Harvey Norman Under-19s competition.

Linking with the Sharks and starring in the Tarsha Gale Cup (Under-19s) and NSW Women’s Premiership, Jaydika’s meteoric rise continued as she forged a permanent starting spot in an NRLW side that was ultimately edged out for a grand final spot by the Roosters in a 17-16 prelim loss.

In another momentous milestone in a breakout 2025, Jaydika made her Test debut for Samoa against Australia during the Pacific Championships.  

“We’re really proud of her, she’s progressed quite quick and she worked hard to get there as well,” John beamed.

“She debuted [in the NRLW] in the first game and then sort of didn’t really look back. She had a few setbacks with injuries and suspensions but kept coming back stronger.

“And then to top it off, she played on the international stage for Fetu Samoa against the Jillaroos, the world champs.”

Jaydika came off the bench in Cronulla’s 2026 NRLW season opener against Newcastle last night, characteristically churning through the defensive work with 25 tackles. She is also helping look out for Evander – the pair are living together in the Shire area.

Evander, a Sydenham Swans junior, was the first player to sign with Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs following the establishment of Canterbury Rugby League’s pathways partnership with the club in 2024.

The youngster has featured at centre and lock for the Bulldogs’ Harold Matthews Cup (under-17s) side and is set to make the step up to SG Ball next season after a recent injury setback.

“Evander’s doing his schooling there now at Endeavour Sports High School, which the Bulldogs and his agent helped him get into,” John explained.

“He made the top school team but then got injured in his debut game for them, an ACL. We’re gutted for him because he’s worked hard as well.”

It could be said the apple doesn’t fall too far from the tree – John, along with younger brother Roger, was a prominent player in the Canterbury Rugby League premiership and on the representative scene for many years.

The bruising Tafua brothers were stalwarts for Celebration Lions, featuring in the club’s 2014 grand final loss before joining Papanui Tigers. They tasted long-awaited premiership success in 2015 via the Tigers’ extra-time win over the Keas – noting with a hint of envy that Makaia won a CRL grand final as a teenaged rookie.

John hung up the boots in 2018 but rescinded his retirement to help out the Tigers in 2021. But the proud dad is reluctant to take credit for his kids’ trademark tirelessness in defence.

“I used to enjoy a bit of contact as well, but I don’t know if my workrate was as high as Maka’s and Jaydika’s and Evander’s – their tackle count stats are crazy!”

Makaia Taua after his debut with Warriors teammate and fellow Canterbury junior Tanner Stowers-Smith.