From netball court to rugby field: Paris Lokotui on her new step

Paris Lokotui is pursuing a new career in rugby union, following her confirmed departure from the Mainland Tactix after helping the side win its first ANZ Premiership title.

The Tongan-born 23-year-old wing defence remains one of Aotearoa New Zealand’s most versatile athletes.

Lokotui has represented the country in netball through the NZ Secondary Schools and NZ Under-21 teams, in basketball for the Junior Tall Ferns, and in water polo for the NZ Under-16 side.

She began her domestic career with the Central Pulse before joining the Tactix, where Lokotui played three seasons and reached the milestone of 50 Premiership matches.

Her decision to leave the Tactix comes just a month after the team’s championship victory over the Mystics.

Speaking to hosts Latonya Lole and Tuilagi William Leolahi on Pacific Huddle, she says she is proud to represent the franchise and make history.

Lokotui says her departure from the team has “been coming for a long time”.

“It was a hard decision in itself,” Lokotui adds.

“The Tactix took me in when I [ruptured] my ACL and helped me through that recovery.”

Watch Paris Lokotui speak on bouncing back from her ACL injury below.

She says women’s sport as a whole is going through a growth spurt beyond rugby, including cricket, hockey and soccer.

“It's a cool opportunity now that the Rugby World Cup is happening and seeing everyone get around it.

“I thought, ‘why not be different and try something new’?

“With the competition happening next year, so many girls are leaving to go pursue netball in Australia and elsewhere.”

Lokotui has relocated to Christchurch and has joined the Canterbury Farah Palmer Cup wider squad.

She says the team has been welcoming and the experience has been positive.

“It’s been cool, going to meet the girls, being in a new environment and seeing what the training's like.

“They're strong on contact, making sure that when you walk through those doors, it's a fist pump or a high five, acknowledging you.”

Her shift to rugby is also influenced by Lokotui’s upbringing, where her father, Tukulua Lokotui, played lock for Tonga at two Rugby World Cups.

Being a part of a sports family exposed her to that field, she says.

“You're around the field a lot of the time, listening to the conversations, watching the All Blacks in the morning, watching Super Rugby men’s and [Super Rugby Aupiki, the women’s competition] in the last two years.

“That was definitely a big influence but I'm not sure what prompted that decision to actually switch, but we'll see what that looks like.

“I've been trying to transition nicely and so far it's been going well.”

The transition has brought physical challenges, and Lokotui says rugby’s field size and style are the main adjustments.

A standard netball court’s length spans 30.5 metres whereas rugby’s field of play can be up to 100 metres or more.

Using her peripheral vision and watching out for contact which could come from anywhere has also been an adjustment.

Tactix star Paris Lokotui, right, dedicated her fifth year in netball to her family. Photo/Andrew Cornaga/Photosport

She also points out netball is a non-contact sport compared to rugby, so her body is a bit sore lately.

“It's been difficult, it’s been sore, but it's been good.”

Looking ahead, Lokotui embraces the opportunity to grow in a much larger squad environment than netball’s 12 to 14 player groups.

She says the bigger group of about 40 members, including management, allows her to “pick people’s brains”.

“I'm really willing to put my foot forward and give it a crack.

“I've been loving it so far, I'm excited to see what that looks like.”