Former 'Ikale Tahi star's advice helps daughter chase Super Rugby title

For Paris Lokotui, switching codes has delivered more than a place in a Super Rugby Aupiki final.

The 24-year-old says her move from elite netball to rugby has brought her closer to her father, former ‘Ikale Tahi representative Tukului Lokotui, whose experience in the game has become a guiding hand during her remarkable first season.

Matatū will host defending champions the Blues in Saturday's Super Rugby Aupiki final, just over a year after Lokotui was preparing to play in an ANZ Premiership netball final with the Mainland Tactix.

Looking back, she says rugby has brought her and her father even closer together, strengthening a bond that was already incredibly tight.

"It’s brought us a lot closer, he’s a quiet man, doesn’t say a lot, but he shows it through his actions and with his love,” Lokotui said.

“In this space where rugby was his everything at one point of his life, to be able to kind of pick his brain a little bit, get his insight has been really close and has kind of formed a deeper connection, which I’m really grateful for.”

Paris Lokotui during her Super Rugby Aupiki debut for Matatū in round one. Photo/John Davidson/Photosport

The switch surprised many but Lokotui has no doubts she made the right choice.

“This has probably been one of the best decisions in terms of my athletic career,” Lokotui said. “They’ve [Matatū] really taken me into their group, like one of their own.

“Reflecting over the past 12 months, this time last year I was prepping for an ANZ Premiership final and this year I’m prepping for a Super Rugby Aupiki final, so there’s been really cool reflections in terms of that space.

Paris Lokotui (front row, third from right) celebrates with the Tactix after the 2025 ANZ Premiership final. Photo/Andrew Cornaga/Photosport

“I’m really proud of the fact that my support group, the girls… proud of myself, to be honest, at where I’ve come from and just trusting and knowing that this is where I’m meant to be.”

Rugby has always been part of the Lokotui family with her father and brother, Cody Lokotui, both having ties to the game.

Paris, meanwhile, built a strong reputation in both netball and basketball before deciding to test herself in rugby.

She made her Matatū debut in round one as the Christchurch-based side beat Chiefs Manawa 52-26 in front of a record crowd at One New Zealand Stadium.

Since then, Matatū have won four of six matches to finish top of the standings and earn the right to host the final.

Lokotui has quickly found her feet in the second row and knows Saturday’s clash with the defending champions Blues will be the biggest challenge of her young career.

“We believe that we’re the best two teams in the competition, we knew that early on that this was going to be the final.

“When you come up against the Blues, one through to 23, they’re stacked all around, and we believe as a collective, we know that we have the goods to come up against that and really play a good brand of footy.”

The two sides have already traded wins this season. Matatū stunned the Blues in round three before the defending champions responded with a 38-29 victory last weekend to book their place in the final.

For more information on the 2026 Super Rugby Aupiki final, click here.