Hallie Taufoou: Team USU to Team USA

Utah State University alumni and USA women’s national rugby union player, Hallie Taufoou, visited USU in September.  

 Taufoou and her teammate attended a USU women’s and men’s rugby team practice to run drills and give coaching tips. Their visit to USU was on route to Colorado — USA Rugby headquarters — to train for the upcoming women’s rugby world cup in October in New Zealand.  

 “It is just so cool to see the progress,” Taufoou said. “When I was playing here, I did not understand how much I didn’t know, but these girls here are understanding things that I have just started to understand.” 

 Taufoou is from Meridian, Idaho and graduated from USU in 2018 with a degree in business administration.  

 Though her family is Tongan and rugby was known to her, Taufoou did not grow up watching or talking about rugby. Her interest piqued after watching her cousin play.  

 Taufoou grew up playing soccer and basketball, which she said instilled in her a need for team sports. In the beginning of her time at USU, she realized soccer and basketball were no longer her priority.  

 During a Day on the Quad event, Taufoou was approached by members of the USU women’s rugby team and decided to try out the sport. She was on the team for three and a half years, becoming president of the team in 2017.  

 “Since the first day of training, this was it. It’s a combination of everything good about soccer and basketball, plus contact,” Taufoou said.  

 Theresa Pitts-Singer, the USU women’s rugby coach, introduced Taufoou to the Summer Sevens program, which she took part in over four summers. During this time, Taufoou made connections with the national women’s rugby team. She signed with the American Rugby Pro Training Center in 2017.  

 After Taufoou graduated from USU, she moved to Leicestershire, England to play for Loughborough Lightning Rugby. Loughborough Lightning is the No. 1 women’s premiership rugby team in the East Midlands. They compete in the Allianz Premier 15s, the top tier of the English women’s rugby league. 

 During her time in England, Taufoou was contacted by the coach of USA women’s national rugby. Her debut for the team was in November 2021 in a match against Canada.  

 Worldwide, rugby is a male dominated sport, and it originated as such. Although women’s rugby teams are increasing, Taufoou said female players experience disparities like “always being shrugged off or simply ignored.” 

 “I am a quiet kid, so even training with boys, I am still faster, better skilled, but it’s easy for them to overlook me because I don’t say anything. But once I start playing, they see what I can do,” Taufoou said. “I hate that I have to show them; I hate having to prove it.” 

 Historically, rugby was a popular sport in Europe and commonwealth countries. Its popularity in the United States has grown in recent decades.  

 “Rugby in England is years ahead of USA rugby because the women are fully contracted,” Taufoou said. “That is their full time job. and they get livable wages to do that.”  

 The first official women’s rugby team was formed in Scotland in the 1960s. Since then, women’s rugby has gained popularity across the world.  

 “A huge advantage is that there is nothing like it for women,” Taufoou said. “The men have the NFL; they have bigger monetary opportunities. Rugby for women is a huge advantage because it gives us a place to be ourselves. I feel like it is a good time to express yourself, whether you are male or female.” 

 Taufoou’s involvement in rugby happened over the span of about eight years. She said she did not anticipate playing rugby, let alone playing in the world cup. 

 “Thank goodness I listened to how I felt about things,” Taufoou said. “Thank goodness I stopped caring about everybody else and started focusing on me and what I could become. Who would have ever known? I love playing sports, and I love to give it my all, and so I just never would have known this is what would come of it.”  

 Taufoou said her biggest supports have been her parents, her family and Pitts-Singer.  

 Taufoou’s younger brother, Kenny Taufoou, is currently on the USU men’s rugby team. He played during high school and wanted to continue when he came to USU.  

 “I want to play professionally,” Kenny said. “Preferably the same level she is on, but we will see.” 

 Although Taufoou did not anticipate playing in the world cup, Kenny was not surprised. 

 “I don’t want to say that I saw it coming, but she has a pretty good work ethic. So when she puts her mind to something, she can achieve it,” Kenny said. “It was always in the back of my mind.” 

 The USA women’s national rugby team will play Italy in their first match of the world cup.  

 “They just had a big win against France, but I think that is exciting,” Taufoou said. “Since I started, we have played the same few teams, but when we play new teams, it is very exciting. I have never played Italy.” 

 Taufoou’s position is lock and backrow.  

 The women’s rugby world cup in New Zealand begins on Oct. 8. Final matches will be played on Nov. 12.